Issue 3, Vol 2, March 2025

STRATEGIC INSIGHTS

Photo credit: Adobe Stock

The challenge of bond program management

Weighing internal management vs. external expertise

California’s school districts are often short-staffed and stretched thin, making it challenging to allocate resources effectively—even when good news arrives in the form of bond funding for facility upgrades. In this thoughtful essay, bond program management expert Mark Newton explores how districts can navigate this reality by weighing the benefits and drawbacks of managing bond programs in-house versus hiring external experts. Whether leveraging institutional knowledge, outsourcing specialized tasks, or adopting a hybrid approach, this piece provides practical insights to help district leaders maximize their bond dollars.

>> Click "Read more" for the full story.

PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS

B&D spotlights P3 strategies for school districts

Presentation discusses role of public-private partnerships in asset planning

At last month's University of Southern California's Real Estate Law and Business Forum, B&D Vice President Al Grazioli delivered a presentation on the critical role of public-private partnerships (P3s) in educational asset planning and development. Grazioli addressed the evolution of P3s in higher education, dispelled common misconceptions, and highlighted their financial and operational benefits, including enhanced flexibility, risk-sharing, and access to private capital. The discussion featured case studies of affordable housing initiatives for teachers and staff, emphasizing the growing need for strategic asset management in K-14 institutions.

>> Click "Read more" to view and download the full presentation.

CONFERENCE UPDATE

Oakland Unified School District and B&D staff meet at CASH. Front row, L-R: Megan Allaeretti, Michael Ifeanyi Ezeh, Mary Ledezma, Megan Phuong (B&D), Pranita Ranbhise, Myra Segovia; Back row, L-R: Preston Thomas, Ty Taylor (B&D), Al Grazioli (B&D).

Building the future of California schools at CASH

B&D recently attended the California Coalition for Adequate School Housing (CASH) 47th Annual Conference on School Facilities, where our team engaged with education leaders, district officials, and industry partners to discuss the future of school facilities across the state. We were excited to have conversations and share insights on strategic planning, funding strategies, and innovative approaches to optimizing educational spaces. If you wanted to connect with us but missed us at the event, click the "Schedule a follow-up" button to continue the conversation with our team!

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SAVE THE DATES

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Addressing California's school facility challenges

California school districts are facing mounting pressure to maximize underutilized assets while addressing critical housing needs for students and staff. B&D's Al Grazioli, an expert in educational real estate strategy, will share insights on innovative approaches to school asset management and workforce housing development at two key conferences:

Facilitron University 4 – April 17 | Los Gatos, CA

Al will present "Affordable Housing and Asset Management for Educational Institutions." Learn more.

Student & Workforce Housing Development

Conference – April 22 | Los Angeles, CA

Al will join a panel exploring how school districts can leverage partnerships and funding strategies to develop housing that supports their long-term goals. Learn more.

Join Al at these events for actionable strategies on school asset optimization. If you’d like to schedule a 1:1 conversation with him, "Schedule a meeting" to get on his calendar.

The B&D Perspective addresses the most pressing issues facing PK-14 facility planning and implementation in California. It is published monthly by Brailsford & Dunlavey, one of the country's leading development advisory and program management firms in the PK-14 sector. To learn more, go to california.bdconnect.com. To view our job openings, go to bdconnect.com/careers. TO UNSUBSCRIBE to The B&D Perspective, please click "unsubscribe" below.