Voices from the field
National Center on School Infrastructure (NCSI)
In the heart of California’s Central Valley, Brad Rohrbach is reimagining what it means to serve a community—not just by managing school district budgets and facilities, but by weaving together learning, opportunity, and partnerships in ways that are both visionary and practical.
Resource spotlight
UndauntedK12
How schools heat and cool their buildings affects student health, learning, and costs. As temperatures rise, legacy heating and cooling systems struggle to keep up - leading to uncomfortable classrooms, lower test scores, and school closures.
Ask the expert
National Center on School Infrastructure (NCSI)
Erika Eitland, MPH, ScD, has built a career covering public health and architecture, working to ensure that school facilities support student and teacher well-being.
Voices from the field
National Center on School Infrastructure (NCSI)
As Assistant Director of Planning, Engineering, Sustainability, and Environment for Boston Public Schools (BPS), Katherine H. Walsh operates at the intersection of aging infrastructure, political complexity, and bold innovation.
Resource spotlight
UndauntedK12
Recent changes to federal energy tax credits have introduced new rules and deadlines for solar energy projects, storage projects, electric school buses, and EV chargers. However, the credit for ground-source heat pumps remains unchanged, offering a valuable opportunity for schools to improve classroom environments.
Voices from the field
National Center on School Infrastructure (NCSI)
In a small office tucked inside Utah’s State Board of Education (USBE), one person - Dean Dykstra, Utah’s School Construction and Facilities Specialist - is responsible for the long-term health, safety, and construction compliance of over 1,000 public school buildings across 43 school districts and 140 charter schools statewide.
Voices from the field
National Center on School Infrastructure (NCSI)
For economist Julien Lafortune, school facilities are not just bricks and mortar. They are foundational to how students experience school, how communities value education, and how improved educational outcomes can be achieved.
Voices from the field
National Center on School Infrastructure (NCSI)
William Merritt IV has been with Jackson Public Schools for 22 years. As Chief of Staff, he stands at the intersection of leadership, logistics, and long-term vision for the district. With roughly 18,000 students and over 30 school buildings — many of which are more than 65 years old — Merritt is leading conversations that…
Voices from the field
National Center on School Infrastructure (NCSI)
In the small community of Belvidere, Illinois, Jo Ann Armstrong is redefining what it means to lead a school district. As the Chief Financial and Operations Officer for District 100, Armstrong wears many hats—and has taken on the challenge of transforming aging facility infrastructure, outdated school design, and inequitable access into an opportunity for meaningful…
Voices from the field
National Center on School Infrastructure (NCSI)
Tyler Puls is proof that smart budgeting and sustainability go hand in hand. As the Energy and Environmental Specialist at Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS), he’s been helping the district save energy, cut costs, and create healthier, more comfortable learning environments for over a decade.