Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the degree school districts have in place selected elements of a maintenance management program. Additionally, the study examined the relationships between the percentage of general fund monies expended on maintenance, the degree of attainment of selected elements of a maintenance management program and the condition of district facilities. Methodology. A sample of 148 school districts between 2,500 and 7,500 enrollment was randomly generated and ordered from the total population of 184. A survey was developed to elicit information about maintenance program practices and demographic data. The survey was field tested by the California Association of School Business Official's (CASBO) maintenance and operations committee. A request for 3 years of fiscal data was sent to the district's business office. Frequencies, means, medians, standard deviations and percents were used for descriptive purposes. Relationships were accomplished using multiple regression analysis. Findings and conclusions. (1) Districts have a wide variance in maintenance management program practices. The mean of the sample represented a 59 percent attainment of the selected elements of a maintenance management program. The majority (97%) of the districts use work order system. Only 12% have a written inventory control system. (2) Some districts (3.8%) did not participate in the State's deferred maintenance program. (3) There is a large backlog of maintenance in districts. (4) The condition of facilities was poor in 11% of the districts. (5) There was no significant relationship between the amount expended on maintenance and the attainment of the selected elements of a maintenance management program. (6) Significant relationships were found between the condition of facilities and the following independent variables: attainment of the selected elements of a maintenance management program; backlog of maintenance; age of facilities. Recommendations. District maintenance departments must endeavor to have the best possible maintenance program. It is difficult to justify the need for more money to be expended on maintenance when critical elements of a maintenance program are absent. A maintenance department in a school district should demonstrate that there is a direct correlation between the money spent and the level and quality of the service provided.