Facilities Services

As part of your BrightWorks membership, our Facilities Services Program offers school districts timely, expert guidance and training to support and strengthen Long-Term Facilities Management (LTFM) planning and implementation

Registration

October 9, 2025 - Our guest speaker was Michael Hubbard, CEM (Certified Energy Manager), PE from ICS, former 2019-2020 president of the South Dakota ASHRAE chapter. Mike presented findings from an Energy Benchmarking pilot project conducted at the South Central Service Cooperative and the Minnesota B3 energy benchmarking tool and funding opportunities.

November 13, 2025 - Representatives Brandon Klukow, Keri Hacker, and Jake Adkins from TREMCO discussed Changes to LTFM Roof Funding & Best practices for Roof Maintenance and Budgeting. This presentation examined the benefits of managing your district's roofs -- completing preventative maintenance to maximize the life cycle of your current assets. Participants reviewed an example of a district-wide assessment and 10 year-LTFM and discuss changes to roofing LTFM funding.

December 11, 2025 - Jake Lindquist, a highly experienced fire safety expert currently serving as Deputy State Fire Marshal for the Twin Cities Metro Area Schools, presented Fire Safe Schools: A Fire Marshal's Guide to Compliance.

January 8, 2026 - Loss prevention experts Steven J. Lichtenberg and Lee Wendel from SFM Mutual Insurance presented a practical, experience-driven session focused on staff safety in schools. Drawing on decades of leadership across insurance, private industry, fire protection, and safety management, they shared insights into the most common injury sources in school settings, including struck-by incidents, slips and falls, and strains and sprains. Participants gained a clearer understanding of workers’ compensation, Minnesota AWAIR requirements, and proven strategies school leaders can use to reduce injuries, prevent losses, and create safer work environments for staff.

February 12, 2026 - School Safety Coordinators Emily Kaehn and Megan Olstad from the Minnesota School Safety Center led a focused, collaborative session on strengthening school safety through thoughtful planning and technology integration. This meeting explored how technology can be effectively incorporated into building safety plans, along with best practices for before- and after-school activities, special events, and shared building use. Participants gained actionable guidance to align safety strategies with real-world building operations, improved preparedness for extended-use scenarios, and embeded safety considerations across all aspects of school facilities.

Registered Unlicensed Electrical Training

Spring training: April 13, 2026

Summer training: August 4, 2026

The state requires that anyone doing electrical work of any kind must be licensed. Anyone can apply and be registered as an 'unlicensed electrician.' However, there are restrictions as to what they are allowed to do. The one that is attractive to schools is using the 'unlicensed' person to do repair work only. They can do repairs or replacement of existing equipment as long as they do it under a contractor's license.

Please make sure that you visit the Department of Labor & Industry website to complete the Unlicensed Electrician Application (external site). You will need your license number when you attend the class.

Register for the spring Unlicensed Electrical Training on April 13, 2026 (external site). 

Register for the summer Unlicensed Electrical Training on August 4, 2026 (external site).

School Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Training - MN Dept. of Health (MDH)

MDH is offering school IAQ plan trainings in fall 2025, in-person statewide, and a webinar. This training will discuss requirements and best practices for school IAQ. School staff, service providers, government officials, and others are welcome to attend. The training is free. Registration is required. See MDH School IAQ Plan Training (external site) for details and registration.

Clean Air School Change (ALA program)

For additional school IAQ support, sign your school up (external site) for the American Lung Association’s Clean Air School Challenge (external site). This nationwide program is available to any K-12 school and provides participating schools with technical assistance, learning collaboratives, additional trainings and recognition for school’s efforts. Schools may also apply for mini-grant funding.