Webinar: Why and How School Facilities Matter for Student Success
Looking to make the case for why investing in school facilities matters? Watch this webinar, hosted by NCSI on Sept. 30, 2025, to learn what recent research shows about how school facilities impact student outcomes and property values. You’ll also hear from two local school districts about strategies they’ve used to successfully communicate the importance of investing in the improvement of their school facilities to decision-makers and other community stakeholders.
Speakers
- Jeff Vincent, Director, National Center on School Infrastructure (Moderator)
- Julien Lafortune, Senior Fellow, Public Policy Institute of California
- Jo Ann Armstrong, Chief Financial Officer, Belvidere Community Unit School District #100, Belvidere, IL
- Darnell Deans, Chief of Operations, William Penn School District, Lansdowne, PA
Key insights
Our speakers shared practical strategies for using school bonds and engaging community stakeholders to support key infrastructure investments. They highlighted how thoughtful facility planning can reflect the needs of students, families, and staff, and how clear communication builds trust and buy-in.
- Capital spending on HVAC, health and safety upgrades, STEM equipment, plumbing, roofing, and furnaces led to notable improvements in test scores
- Modernized and well-maintained learning environments support academic growth, safety and health, reduce absenteeism, and foster a sense of belonging
- Facility Condition Assessments help identify upgrades that align with both community priorities and student success
Related resources
Julien Lafortune’s slide deck
Research: What Works and For Whom? Effectiveness and Efficiency of School Capital Investments Across The U.S.
Brief: Targeted Infrastructure Spending can Boost Student Outcomes