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PRE-SPRING CONFERENCE

BY DON HARRIS

Maintaining Pristine School Grounds

Impacts Student Achievement

Robert Jacobson

First impressions, particularly sparked by well-manicured can in turn a ect a school’s incoming student population, the
grounds, can have a positive and lasting impact on how parents see number of community events held in school facilities, community
a school and how students perform. involvement with school activities, and more.
Robert Jacobson, Director Support Services, Laveen School eir presentation April 4 featured photos showing examples
District, and Donnie Rodman, chief of Laveen’s grounds crew who of run-down school grounds and others in tip-top shape. For
was a golf groundskeeper for 20 years, gave AASBO members a example, there was a shot of a basketball court with grass creeping
mini-course in how to maintain landscaping that is attractive, up through cracks in the concrete, and a beautiful play area that
inviting and safe for students. looked like the fairway of a golf course.
In a Pre-Conference session at AASBO’s Spring Conference, “We all have budget restraints, so we have to have a plan,”
Jacobson cautioned that school facilities that are not in great Jacobson said.
condition could be the cause of poor student behavior and conduct When students arrive at school each day, the rst thing they,
in the classroom. and perhaps their parents, see are the grounds. “We actually
“Higher grades have been associated with the design and impact student behavior,” he said. “If you have grounds that are
condition of school facilities,” he said. What’s more, housing prices
change based on the quality and appearance of schools, which CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

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26 THE EDGE SUMMER 2018
THE EDGE |