Facilitron University 2024

Facilitron University 4

April 16-18, 2025

Our fourth Facilitron University was better than ever! Hosted in our hometown of Los Gatos, we connected with industry leaders to explore innovative best practices and discuss a variety of constructive ways to elevate facility management to new heights.

Blue geometric background

Session recaps from Facilitron University 4

Sessions

A Conversation with Paul Vallas: Maximizing School Resources for a Sustainable Future
In this candid and timely conversation, education leader Paul Vallas discusses the urgent financial challenges facing public schools and why districts must shift from a policy-driven mindset to one grounded in strategic management. From underutilized facilities to overlooked cost drivers, Vallas highlights how schools can unlock new revenue streams, implement fair and transparent rental policies, and improve financial discipline without compromising educational outcomes. With practical examples and a focus on student impact, this session offers clear steps for school leaders ready to take control of their resources and build a more sustainable future.
Securing Our Future: Navigating School Safety in 2025
This panel discussion will explore the multifaceted landscape of school safety in 2025, delving into the critical intersections of technology, mental health, community partnerships, and evolving policies. Panelists will examine the integration of advanced security technologies, balancing their benefits with student privacy and civil liberties while also addressing the root causes of violence through robust mental health and social-emotional support systems. The discussion will further explore the vital role of community and law enforcement collaboration, focusing on building positive relationships and effective crisis response protocols. Finally, the panel will address current and proposed school safety policies, emphasizing the importance of preventative measures and the impact of federal policy changes on public schools, including sensitive topics like ICE and student safety.
Policy vs Performance: What’s Really Holding Your Program Back?
Every district wants to run an effective facility use program—but are you measuring the right things? This session starts with key performance metrics every district should track to evaluate the health of their rental operations. Then, we go deeper to uncover what might be holding your program back: outdated policies, flawed assumptions, and automatic subsidies that erode equity and sustainability. We’ll challenge the status quo and offer a smarter, more transparent framework for balancing access, cost recovery, and community impact.
Beyond the Field: The Evolving Role of Athletics in Public Schools
This panel will explore the multifaceted role of athletics in public education, examining the delicate balance between school sports and community access to athletic facilities, and addressing the funding and maintenance challenges that come with providing quality spaces for student-athletes. Panelists will delve into the critical role of high school athletics in providing pathways to college scholarships, discussing the importance of academic eligibility, the realities of scholarship opportunities, and the pressures faced by student-athletes. The discussion will also cover the structure and rules of division play and interscholastic competitions, emphasizing fairness, equity, and sportsmanship, while clarifying the distinction between school-sanctioned sports and external clubs or camps.
Powering the Future: Energy Efficiency in Public Schools
This panel will delve into the critical topic of energy efficiency in public schools, exploring strategies to achieve financial savings, reduce environmental impact, and create healthier learning environments. Panelists will discuss the transition to sustainable transportation fleets, focusing on the benefits and challenges of solar and hybrid school buses, as well as practical implementation strategies. The conversation will then shift to facility management, examining energy conservation programs and smart energy solutions like occupancy-based HVAC and lighting. Finally, the panel will address financial sustainability, exploring how schools can recoup energy costs through community rentals and reinvest savings to enhance educational resources and foster community support for ongoing energy efficiency initiatives.
Leveraging Real Estate Assets: Supporting the Educational Mission and Ensuring Positive Student Outcomes
In this one-on-one conversation, Al Grazioli—former Director of Real Estate for LAUSD and current leader at Brailsford & Dunlavey—shares a compelling call to action for school districts to rethink how they manage and leverage their real estate. Too often viewed as a liability or afterthought, district-owned property is one of the most underutilized tools for advancing student outcomes, supporting community needs, and ensuring long-term sustainability. This session explores how districts can shift from reactive facility use to strategic asset management, the importance of involving experts early, and the risks of moving forward without a clear plan. From workforce housing to fleet electrification, Al discusses what works, what doesn’t, and why every district has a responsibility to be a thoughtful steward of public assets—and a partner in building a smarter, future-ready education system.
Building for the Future: Workforce Housing, Retention, and Community Development
As staffing shortages and housing costs continue to rise across the country, school districts are exploring bold new ways to support their educators and staff through affordable workforce housing initiatives and smarter asset management strategies. This panel brings together leaders from large urban districts and development experts to discuss how public school systems can reimagine real estate as a strategic asset—one that directly supports retention, community stability, and student outcomes. Panelists will share lessons learned from workforce housing projects, creative financing approaches, and policy considerations that can help districts move from intention to implementation. From population analysis to public-private partnerships, this session offers a roadmap for district leaders looking to take a proactive, equitable, and community-minded approach to addressing one of education’s most urgent challenges.
State of Education: Policy, Progress, and the Road Ahead with Brooks Allen
Join Brooks Allen , Executive Director of a State Board of Education and senior education policy advisor, for a timely and thought-provoking discussion on the current and future state of public education. In this session, Brooks will explore how recent federal and state policy shifts are shaping local decision-making, with a particular focus on facility use, community engagement, and financial responsibility. Topics will include updates to facility access laws, the importance of recouping costs without sacrificing public trust, and how education leaders can balance community needs with operational sustainability. Brooks will also address broader challenges such as workforce shortages, student mental health, and the evolving landscape of school choice. Designed for education leaders across the country, this session offers practical insights into navigating change, implementing thoughtful policy, and building a more equitable and future-ready public school system.
Prioritizing Human Intelligence for an AI World
How can we prepare our students for jobs that don't exist yet? As artificial intelligence continues transforming the workforce, we must equip our students with the "Human Intelligence" they need to succeed. In this thought-provoking keynote, Travis Allen makes a compelling call to action to cultivate the uniquely human-centered skills that set us apart from machines. He will inspire the audience to design educational experiences that build students' skills to navigate complex real-world problems, embrace uncertainties, and cultivate transferable skills like collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity, essential career-ready skills for a post-AI world.

Speakers

Al Grazioli

Al Grazioli

Brailsford & Dunlavey Connect

Sessions:

  • Leveraging Real Estate Assets: Supporting the Educational Mission and Ensuring Positive Student Outcomes
  • Building for the Future: Workforce Housing, Retention, and Community Development
Aurelio Rodriguez

Aurelio Rodriguez

Gilroy USD

Session: Securing Our Future: Navigating School Safety in 2025

Brooks Allen

Brooks Allen

CA State Board of Education

Session: State of Education: Policy, Progress, and the Road Ahead with Brooks Allen

Genyne Vinson

Genyne Vinson

Fort Bend ISD

Session: Securing Our Future: Navigating School Safety in 2025

Jennifer Fowler

Jennifer Fowler

Orange County Public Schools

Session: Powering the Future: Energy Efficiency in Public Schools

Jodi Dittell

Jodi Dittell

Orange County Public Schools

Session: Powering the Future: Energy Efficiency in Public Schools

John Dufay

John Dufay

Albuquerque Public Schools

Session: Securing Our Future: Navigating School Safety in 2025

Karen Sullivan

Karen Sullivan

San Francisco Unified School District

Session: Building for the Future: Workforce Housing, Retention, and Community Development

Karly Pulido

Karly Pulido

Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Session: Powering the Future: Energy Efficiency in Public Schools

Ken Perrotti

Ken Perrotti

Los Gatos HS

Session: Beyond the Field: The Evolving Role of Athletics in Public Schools

Lisa Hertrich

Lisa Hertrich

Albuquerque Public Schools

Session: Beyond the Field: The Evolving Role of Athletics in Public Schools

Manny Diaz

Manny Diaz

University of Georgia

Session: Beyond the Field: The Evolving Role of Athletics in Public Schools

Marco Sanchez

Marco Sanchez

CIF Central Coast Section

Session: Beyond the Field: The Evolving Role of Athletics in Public Schools

Michal Healy

Michal Healy

Santa Clara USD

Session: Building for the Future: Workforce Housing, Retention, and Community Development

Neva Coakley

Neva Coakley

Boston Public Schools

Session: Securing Our Future: Navigating School Safety in 2025

Paul Vallas

Paul Vallas

Education Consultant and Public Policy Advisor

Session: A Conversation with Paul Vallas: Maximizing School Resources for a Sustainable Future

Tracey Tincknell

Tracey Tincknell

San Diego USD

Session: Building for the Future: Workforce Housing, Retention, and Community Development

Travis Allen

Travis Allen

ProSolve

Session: Prioritizing Human Intelligence for an AI World

Trent Allen

Trent Allen

Facilitron

Session: Policy vs Performance: What's Really Holding Your Program Back?

Location

Photo of Hotel Los Gatos in Los Gatos, California

Facilitron University 4 was held at the Los Gatos Masonic Lodge in Los Gatos, California, with accommodations at Hotel Los Gatos. Reminiscent of a private Tuscan villa located at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Hotel Los Gatos is Silicon Valley's premier luxury hotel.

Agenda

Wednesday, April 16 — Campo Di Bocce

5:30pm
Bocce Tournament Networking Social

Thursday, April 17 — Masonic Lodge in Los Gatos

8:00am
Breakfast and Registration
9:00am
Opening Ceremony - Jeff Benjamin
9:10am
A Conversation with Paul Vallas: Maximizing School Resources for a Sustainable Future
9:30am
Company Overviews - Quill Meeting
9:45am
Company Overviews - ProSolve
10:00am
Securing Our Future: Navigating School Safety in 2025
10:50am
Coffee Break
11:00am
Policy vs Performance: What’s Really Holding Your Program Back?
11:30am
Q&A with Facilitron Leadership
12:00pm
Lunch - Dio Deka (Hotel LG)
1:30pm
Beyond the Field: The Evolving Role of Athletics in Public Schools
2:20pm
Powering the Future: Energy Efficiency in Public Schools
3:15pm
Leveraging Real Estate Assets: Supporting the Educational Mission and Ensuring Positive Student Outcomes
3:45pm
End of Day Recap and Trade Show Intro
3:45pm
Trade Show/Happy Hour
5:30pm
Dinner and Reception at Asa Restaurant, Los Gatos

Friday, April 18 — Masonic Center in Los Gatos

8:00am
Breakfast and Networking
8:50am
Morning Recap and Housekeeping
9:00am
Building for the Future: Workforce Housing, Retention, and Community Development
10:00am
State of Education: Policy, Progress, and the Road Ahead with Brooks Allen
11:00am
Prioritizing Human Intelligence for an AI World - Travis Allen
12:00pm
Final Trade Show/Networking Coffee Break
12:30pm
Closing Remarks
12:45pm
Event Conclusion