Chris Cosper and Larry Morgan spoke to a joint committee of the Mississippi legislature Monday. Joining a diverse group of experts including urban planners, contractors, and state officials, the EDI team presented a fact sheet and answered questions concerning green design.
Download the fact sheet:
Locating a school is one of the most challenging issues when planning a school. A good decision (or a bad decision) can affect a community for half a century or longer.
The Mississippi School Design Guidelines suggests that designers and owners consider three broad categories of information when locating a school:
1. Community Circumstances -- How the school can improve the wider community.
2. School System Needs -- How the location of the new or newly renovated school can improve the overall capabilities of the school district.
3. Site Selection Criteria -- The qualities of the site itself.
Follow this link to the appropriate MSDG section:
http://www.edi.msstate.edu/guidelines/pdf/schools_in_everyday_life.pdf
Work in architecture firms remains slow. This reflects the overall downturn in the construction industry. For owners who have funds and/or financing, now is an advantageous time to build.
For information concerning design firms, see the American Institute of Architects press release:
This guest editorial appeared in the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/13/opinion/13allen.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=virginia%20schools&st=cse
Professor John Poros worked with Jeff during Jeff's time at Mississippi State University.
Jeff Lackney came to Mississippi as the first director of EDI and saw both challenges and opportunity. Jeff right away began to work with students, teachers, principals and superintendents in the state to improve educational facilities. One of the great triumphs that Jeff had as director was the planning of the McWillie and Van Winkle Elementary Schools in the Jackson Public School District. Both of these schools are new facilities designed to have a Montessori program, a first in the Jackson public school district and probably in the state. I worked with Jeff on this project and saw firsthand his commitment to the voices of all the people involved, but also his wish for these school buildings to challenge both students and teachers. McWillie Elementary is now a Level 5 school, the highest achievement for a public school in the state. We all saw Jeff’s commitment to improving and rethinking education and are lucky that he could be with us in Mississippi for a time. We all send our condolences to his wife, Jill and son, Nicholas.
Prof. John Poros
Director, Carl Small Town Center
Mississippi State University
Jeff Lackney, the first director of the Educational Design Institute, died on August 29 at age 48. The following appeared in the Wisconsin State Journal:
SHOREWOOD HILLS
Jeffery A. "Jeff" Lackney, age 48, of Shorewood Hills passed away on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, at HospiceCare Inc. in Fitchburg. He was born April 17, 1961, in Raleigh, N.C., the son of Robert R. and Barbara A. Lackney. Jeff is survived by his wife, Jill Dittrich Lackney; a son, Nickolas; his parents; and three brothers, Todd, Chris and Matthew. He will be greatly missed by all who know and love him. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Those who wish to express their sympathy with a gift may wish to consider HospiceCare Inc, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, WI 53711.
From School Construction News:
An update from Architectural Record:
http://archrecord.construction.com/news/daily/archives/090922school_construction.asp
The Mississippi Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council is hosting a Sustainable Schools Program from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, October 29, in Jackson. The speakers have been told to keep it brief, and the food is free.... How much more inviting can an event be?
Go to the Mississippi Chapter website for more information:
http://chapters.usgbc.org/mississippi/documents/october_membership_meeting_save_date_2009.pdf
In an attempt to serve their children healthier meals, many school districts are discarding their fryers and switching to combination (combi) oven/steamers. The Mississippi Office of Healthy Schools has some valuable information for districts considering this change:
http://www.healthyschoolsms.org/ohs_main/resources/ovens.htm