Been talking with Tom Blackwell, the Director of Facilities and Construction of the Leander Independent School District in Texas, recently about the ’school of the future’ (not to be mistaken with the Microsoft-supported new school opening this fall in Philadelphia). He writes:

With Education coming under fire from all sources now, when will facility design actually facilitate future flexibility in order to better serve the quickly-changing needs of contemporary as well as future education? That is, when will the facility actually become a verb rather than a noun?

As an ex-English teacher, I find that previous question to be a true shot across the bow. Tom continues to push us all with his following questions:

What new processes (conception, community involvement, innovative design and execution, etc.) will be required in order to implement this Concept? (The Devil’s in the details, you know.) Why are so few School Districts, consultants, and communities actually involved in this critically-needed function? This Commentary should begin the thought process required, to stimulate recognition of the actions that should be taken to commence that journey.

The Reader’s feedback is required: “Let the Dialog begin.”

Bio:

Tom Blackwell is a registered professional engineer in Texas, with 35 years of experience. Aerospace at Cape Canaveral with NASA and
the Air Force, electronics, industrial, commercial (high-rise, etc.), and institutional (school) facilities are in his design and construction
resume. He is currently the Director of Construction and Facilities at Leander ISD, a northwest Austin, Texas, suburb.

Note:

These are his editorial thoughts on the subject based on his experience, independent of his workplace.