Capital Asset Management — Maximizing stewardship of school infrastructure

Capital Asset Management (CAM) is an important but often not fully appreciated or utilized 'tool' for the renewal, replacement or removal of K-12 school facilities. When a new school is built, it is assumed to have a life expectancy of 50 - 75 years. However, approximately half of the initial construction cost is expended on components that simply wear out and have to be replaced once, twice, perhaps even three or four times during the life of that facility.

Mechanical systems, electrical systems, structural systems, interior and exterior finishes, flooring and others all have to be replaced or significantly upgraded within their normally expected life cycle ranges, these life cycles may be as short as 8 years or as long as 50 years. It is important to recognize that such replacements are capital renewal , not maintenance. CAM is not to be confused with CMMS (computerized maintenance management system) although when used synergistically these systems provide a full range of infrastructure management capability. CMMS provides day to day functionality for the repair of building components (and replacement of minor equipment e.g. pumps, motors, etc.).

CAM as defined by the Gov ern ment of BC is: 'the process of identifying current and future capital needs, and developing strategies and projects to address those needs. The primary function of a CAM program is to enable a school district to proactively manage its infrastructure and building components based on a quantifiable plan that strategically prioritizes need and matches this need with available resources. CAM programs are generally prepared on a 1, 3, 5, 10 year cycle and refreshed annually.

CAM represents a compelling opportunity to demonstrate full knowledge of school infrastructure and be able to report on it. CAM enables school districts to fully integrate education programming with school facility renewal and match the programming to maximize the educational opportunity with facility responsiveness. Managing the capital needs of school infrastructure is a complex task requiring knowledge of buildings that can be 50 or 75 years old to those that are recently constructed. Facility Directors, Secretary Treasurers and School Superintendents all must be conversant with the strategic opportunity that CAM affords in order to provide exceptional learning and teaching environments.

Benefits of a CAM program in clude but are not restricted to: planned, integrated knowledge management; coordinated work processes; enhanced stewardship of resources; short, medium and long range budgeting and planning; support to education programming; proactive change management strategies; enhanced decision making; archival history capability; control of your school facility upgrading, renewal, and replacement planning. Contributing Author:

Steve Cripps, Managing Principal

Control Facility Management Ltd. Calgary, Alberta www.cfman.com

TOM LYNCH Res: (604) 531-5221 / Cell: (604) 240-1047

4687 Byrne Road Ph.: (604) 439-0842 Burnaby, B.C. Fax: (604) 439-1941 V5J 3H6 tom@lynchbuslines.com

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