Why Indoor Air Quality Must Be a Priority for Facilities Directors

The COVID-19 pandemic brought renewed attention to the condition of K–12 school facilities across the United States. In particular, it exposed decades of underinvestment in the systems that support healthy learning environments. Creating safe and healthy schools quickly became a national priority. Yet the issue did not begin with the pandemic. Even before COVID-19, nearly

As we reflect on 2025, one message rose clearly from schools and colleges across the country: “It’s been a really challenging year.” This was a year defined by shifting priorities, stretched budgets, aging buildings, staffing pressures, and constant tradeoffs. Facilities teams found themselves responding to competing demands with fewer resources, shorter timelines, and an increasingly

In the Healthy Green Schools & Colleges (HGSC) Program, we work closely with K-12 and higher education facilities directors who are navigating complex change, which could include pursuing HGSC certification, improving sustainability across their institution, incorporating technology into their operations, or protecting student and staff health. As with any meaningful change effort, resistance is often