Date/Time: November 5, 2026 | 3:45 – 4:45 pm

Room: TAHOMA 1

Abstract: As school districts across the country navigate the growing impacts of climate disruption, rising construction costs, and aging infrastructure, the role of school facilities has never been more critical to student success and community stability. Stewardship in Action explores how thoughtful, values‑driven planning and design decisions can strengthen the resilience of school environments while advancing health, safety, equity, and long‑term stewardship.

This interactive workshop brings together district leaders and design professionals to examine real‑world strategies for reimagining school environments that support student well‑being, community resilience, and continuity of learning in the face of environmental and operational stressors. Through case studies and facilitated dialogue, the session highlights approaches to climate resilience, indoor environmental quality, emergency preparedness, and adaptable campus planning—alongside governance that influence long‑term outcomes.

Participants will engage in small‑group discussions focused on aligning facility investments with educational priorities, supporting the whole child, and ensuring resilience strategies are equitable, maintainable, and scalable across diverse communities. By reframing school facilities as essential infrastructure for health, safety, and community welfare, this session empowers attendees to move from reactive problem‑solving to proactive stewardship—designing school environments that can adapt, endure, and serve future generations.

Learning Objectives:

1. Assess how school facility design strategies—such as indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and access to restorative indoor and outdoor spaces—support student health, emotional well‑being, and learning outcomes in K–12 environments.
2. Evaluate design and infrastructure approaches that enhance life safety and risk mitigation, including climate‑responsive systems, emergency preparedness, and continuity‑of‑operations planning for school facilities.
3. Apply principles of resilient and adaptable school design to improve equitable access, usability, and long‑term performance of learning environments for students, staff, and surrounding communities.
4. Integrate stewardship‑based planning and design frameworks that align facility investments with health, safety, and welfare outcomes, balancing resilience, operational feasibility, and long‑term community benefit.