Page 18 - AASBO The EDGE Summer 2022

SPRING CONFERENCE WRAP-UP

BY DON HARRIS
Mike Collins Mike Fisher
Why Schools Need a Great Preventative Maintenance Program

The importance of preventative maintenance policy. They recalled a famous quote from
revolves around one vital element – money. Benjamin Franklin that applies to preventative
maintenance: “An ounce of prevention is worth a
That was the message from Mike Collins, Pueblo pound of cure.”
Mechanical & Controls, and Mike Fisher, Director
of Operation Resources for Littleton Elementary Make sure your equipment is being checked
School District, in a breakout session at the before it becomes a problem. That means regularly
AASBO Spring Conference. inspecting playground structures, replace belts,
clean coils and change filters on HVAC units, and
It was emphasized that preventative maintenance recoat gym floors annually.
results in cost savings. School districts that rely
solely on reactive maintenance are essentially AASBO members were given some tips on
waiting for a problem to happen and are constantly the use of the Operations Budget versus the
putting out fires. Among the largest up-front Capital Expenditure Budget when it pertains to
costs during construction are for the equipment. preventative maintenance. Under the Operational
For example, HVAC alone accounts for 18%-22% Budget, plan on incorporating and planning your
of the total project. Other costly aspects of a preventative maintenance budgets starting right
construction include the interior and exterior of after the first of the calendar year. That would
the building, grading, parking lots, infrastructure include such things as day- to-day operations of
supplies, plumbing, electrical equipment and your building and taking care of minor repairs.
landscaping.
It was recommended that you should seek
Preventative maintenance is primarily protecting operational assistance from your vendors,
the life of public’s investment – those all-import especially if you don’t have the tools to properly
tax dollars. Perhaps equally important, by maintain your buildings’ equipment.
taking care of your district’s investment, you are
improving safety conditions. When equipment On the other hand, rely on the Capital Expense
isn’t working in optimal condition, it creates Budget for larger, more expensive projects that
many hazards for students and staff, plus unsafe require Board approval. That would include bond
working conditions. projects, ESSER (Elementary and Secondary
School Emergency Relief) funded projects,
The experts’ advice: avoid problems before and School Facilities Board projects. Examples
they become a problem. Treat your preventative include roof recoating and repairs, HVAC rooftop
maintenance program like it’s an insurance replacements such as a chiller or cooling tower

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18 THE EDGE SUMMER 2022