Stretched: Rebuilding K12 Facilities and Operations

A podcast from NCSI, the 21st Century School Fund, and the National Council on School Facilities

About the podcast

Many public school districts are stretched thin, with enrollments declining, costs increasing, and decision-makers operating within a hyper-polarized political environment. On Stretched, co-hosts David Sturtz (Sturtz & Company) and Mary Filardo (21st Century School Fund) talk with K-12 leaders, advisors, and researchers about how districts are leading their communities through this moment and toward better outcomes for kids. From facility planning and funding to school safety and community engagement, each episode digs into the real-world challenges — and practical strategies — that shape the places where students learn.

Stretched is produced in partnership with Sturtz & Company.

Latest episode

Case Study/Exemplar

Stretched Podcast Eps. 12 and 13: The Lived Experience of Building Conditions, Parts 1 and 2

21st Century School Fund (21CSF), National Center on School Infrastructure (NCSI), National Council on School Facilities (NCSF), Sturtz & Company

In this 2-part conversation, David Sturtz, Mary Filardo, and Jerry Roseman discuss the importance of understanding the lived experiences of those in school environments. The conversations highlight the importance of blending quantitative data with qualitative insights from the community in driving health and safety improvements in school buildings.

Health and Indoor Environmental Quality

Topics we cover

Stretched explores the issues that school district leaders face as they work to provide safe, modern learning environments with limited resources. Topics include:

  • Facility planning and master planning — How districts assess their buildings, set priorities, and build long-range plans
  • Funding and budgets — Bond initiatives, capital budgets, deferred maintenance, and the financial pressures of doing more with less
  • Building conditions and health — Indoor environmental quality, facility condition assessments, and what building conditions mean for students and staff
  • School safety and security — Holistic approaches to making schools safe without compromising the learning environment
  • Enrollment and utilization — How shifting demographics affect space needs, school siting, and consolidation decisions
  • Community engagement — Building public trust, communicating with stakeholders, and making facility decisions with your community
  • Schools as community anchors — The role of school buildings in community development, neighborhood resilience, and urban planning

Recent podcast episodes

  • Case Study/Exemplar

    Stretched Podcast Ep. 8: 5,280 Days

    21st Century School Fund (21CSF), National Center on School Infrastructure (NCSI), National Council on School Facilities (NCSF), Sturtz & Company

    In this conversation, David Sturtz, Mary Filardo, and Mathew Palmer discuss the critical role of school planning within the broader context of community development.

    Community and Neighborhood Connections

  • Case Study/Exemplar

    Stretched Podcast Ep. 7: The Planning Mindset

    21st Century School Fund (21CSF), National Center on School Infrastructure (NCSI), National Council on School Facilities (NCSF), Sturtz & Company

    In this episode of the Stretched podcast, Matthew Palmer, Senior Research Scholar, School Planning & Transportation at North Carolina State University discusses his journey into school facility planning, emphasizing the importance of a planning mindset that connects knowledge to action.

    Community and Neighborhood Connections

  • Case Study/Exemplar

    Stretched Podcast Ep. 6: Transforming Fargo’s Schools

    21st Century School Fund (21CSF), National Center on School Infrastructure (NCSI), National Council on School Facilities (NCSF), Sturtz & Company

    This episode of the Stretched podcast delves into the comprehensive facility planning process undertaken by Fargo Public Schools, highlighting the importance of life cycle replacement projects, community engagement, and data-driven decision-making.

    Master Planning

  • Case Study/Exemplar

    Stretched Podcast Ep. 5: It Takes a Village

    21st Century School Fund (21CSF), National Center on School Infrastructure (NCSI), National Council on School Facilities (NCSF), Sturtz & Company

    In this conversation, David Sturtz and Dr. Rick Fernandez explore the evolving landscape of K-12 education, focusing on the integration of career technical education (CTE) and the importance of partnerships with the private sector.

    Community and Neighborhood Connections

  • Case Study/Exemplar

    Stretched Podcast Ep. 4: Revitalizing Jackson Public Schools

    21st Century School Fund (21CSF), National Center on School Infrastructure (NCSI), National Council on School Facilities (NCSF), Sturtz & Company

    In this episode of the Stretched podcast, Dr. William Merritt, Chief of Staff for Jackson Public Schools, discusses the significant changes in Jackson, Mississippi, over the past two decades, including population decline and its impact on school enrollment and infrastructure.

    Master Planning

  • Case Study/Exemplar

    Stretched Podcast Ep. 3: Building a Better Future: Guilford County Schools

    21st Century School Fund (21CSF), National Center on School Infrastructure (NCSI), National Council on School Facilities (NCSF), Sturtz & Company

    This episode of the Stretched podcast explores the challenges faced by Guilford County Schools in North Carolina, particularly in relation to a $2 billion bond initiative aimed at addressing deferred maintenance and improving school facilities.

    Funding

  • Case Study/Exemplar

    Stretched Podcast Ep. 2: Navigating Challenges

    21st Century School Fund (21CSF), National Center on School Infrastructure (NCSI), National Council on School Facilities (NCSF), Sturtz & Company

    In this episode of the Stretched podcast, David Sturtz, Mary Filardo, and Kelly Horn discuss the challenges and strategies faced by Arlington ISD in managing K-12 facilities and operations.

    Management

  • Case Study/Exemplar

    Stretched Podcast Ep. 1: Introductions

    21st Century School Fund (21CSF), National Center on School Infrastructure (NCSI), National Council on School Facilities (NCSF), Sturtz & Company

    In this inaugural episode of the Stretched podcast, David Sturtz and Mary Filardo discuss the pressing challenges facing K-12 school facilities, emphasizing the need for effective planning and resource allocation.

    Planning