A Congressional hearing dealt with issues related to the repair program and facilities master plan of the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). Opening remarks by Representative Thomas M. Davis outlined his concern over the delayed opening of the DCPS in the fall of 1997 because of uncompleted roof repairs, and the results from a performance audit of the DCPS under contract to the D.C. Control Board. Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton followed, stating her position on the issue of the D.C. Control Board coming to Congress for a legislative solution. The first panel to testify consisted of Mary Filardo, Director, 21st Century School Fund; William R. Lawson, Assistant Regional Administrator, Public Buildings Service, General Services Administration; and Jonathan Miller, Project Manager, Daniel, Mann, Johnson & Mendenhall Architects. The second panel to testify consisted of auditors that conducted a performance audit of the District school system: Andrew Brimmer, Chairman, D.C. Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority; David Cotton, Cotton & Company; Ed Fritts, Senior Manager, Cotton & Company; and Marvin Allmond, Managing Partner, Allmond & Company. The final panel to testify included Anthony Williams, D.C, Chief Financial Officer; Ed Stephenson, Chief Financial Officer, DCPS; Dr. Bruce MacLaury, Chairman, DCPS Emergency Trustee Board; General Julius Becton, Chief Executive Officer, DCPS; and General Charles E. Williams, Chief Operating Officer, DCPS. The transcribed comments and prepared statements are supplemented by letters, statements, and other documents submitted for the record. (JM)

This book takes a systematic approach to planning educational facilities, discussing in detail each phase of the process of planning capital projects and the responsibilities of those in the schools who make decisions regarding the buildings in which students learn. The book also speaks to the moral responsibility of educators to ensure students are in safe, functional, and efficient structures. Planning Educational Facilities for the Next Century covers it all, from planning, to hiring the architect, to managing the construction phase.