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.
Monthly meetings will take place in person on the second Thursday of each month from 9:00–11:30 am at BrightWorks.
Registration
The Facilities Services Program is included with BrightWorks membership.
Please register for the meetings. Registration helps us plan accordingly for refreshments and handouts provided by our presenters. We will send out RSVP reminders before each session.
View video tutorial for how to register for meetings.
Miss a meeting? Contact Sydney Navoichick to access the Facilities Program Resource Library.
Winter 2026 Meetings
9:00–11:30 am at BrightWorks
January 8, 2026 - Join loss prevention experts Steven J. Lichtenberg and Lee Wendel from SFM Mutual Insurance for 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 will share insights into the most common injury sources in school settings, including struck-by incidents, slips and falls, and strains and sprains. Participants will gain 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.
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February 12, 2026
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March 12, 2026
Register for the Winter 2026 meetings (external site)
Spring 2026 Meetings
9:00–11:30 am at BrightWorks
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April 9, 2026
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May 14, 2026
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June 11, 2026 – LTFM Town Hall with Sarah Miller
Register for the Spring 2026 meetings (external site)
Fall 2025 Meetings
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.
Registered Unlicensed Electrical Training
Next training: January 6, 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 next Unlicensed Electrical Training on January 6, 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.
Program Contacts
Karen Klein
Facilities Service Specialist
karen.klein@brightworksmn.org
651-728-1880
Registration Questions
Sydney Navoichick
Program Associate
sydney.navoichick@brightworksmn.org
612-638-1521
Karen Klein, Facilities Service Specialist
Monthly Meeting Topics
Each meeting will feature updates and insights from professionals in school construction, architecture, health and safety, and the Minnesota Department of Education.
Meeting topics will be shaped by your interests and needs, with space to contribute ideas and request focus areas throughout the year. If you have a topic you would like us to address, please add your thoughts by visiting ThoughtExchange (external site). You can also rate the thoughts of others so we can get an idea of what might be of most interest to the group.
Through our partnership with ICS, BrightWorks members enjoy discounted rates on technical planning services and assessments, customized to meet the unique needs of your district. ICS services support you through the technical phases of implementation—no matter where you are in the construction process or long-range planning journey.