Facility Management has changed dramatically over the years to include a wide range of responsibilities – from custodial, maintenance and grounds to legal issues, long-range planning, emergency management and much more.

Facilities Operations Program

The Facilities Operations Program provides a consistent standard for the development of high quality school facilities professionals. The knowledge base lays the groundwork of what a facility professional needs to know to succeed in their chosen field. 

A Flexible Program to Meet Your Needs  

Using the Good School Maintenance manual as the core curriculum, the Facilities Operations Program (FOP) is divided into four courses:

  • Essentials of Facilities Management
  • Essentials of Maintenance Operations
  • Essentials of Grounds Operations
  • Essentials of Custodial Operations

You can purchase the Good School Maintenance manual from Illinois ASBO at the time of course registration.

If you are not attending a course but would like to purchase the manual, please click on the link below.

Purchase the Manual



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Program Options

Option 1: Take all Four Courses to Complete the Program

Taking all four courses ensures that you have the knowledge base school districts are looking for from their facilities managers. Upon completion of the program, you will receive a certificate and be recognized at the Illinois ASBO Facilities Professionals Conference.

Option 2: Specialize in Custodial, Maintenance or Grounds

Want to improve your skills in a specialized area?  Come for a full-day seminar in your area of responsibility and take advantage of hands-on instruction and networking with other facilities professionals.

Already completed the program?

Share this valuable experience with someone else on your team! Set a consistent standard for your department based on industry best practices

Download Program Brochure

FOP Course Offerings

Essentials of Facilities Management

Managing school facilities requires a specific knowledge base that isn’t taught elsewhere. Explore school-specific topics including accounting and funding sources, required training for facilities staff and inspections to be done in-house, outsourced or by the government. Learn management skills that cover legislation, evaluations, hiring, leadership styles and discipline. 

Essentials of Maintenance Operations

Get an overview of maintenance operations including maintaining interior and exterior surfaces and systems, roof care, HVAC, electrical, electronic and low voltage systems, sanitary and sewage. Each lesson throughout the day will focus in on one of these areas and provide best practices.

Essentials of Grounds Operations

Effective grounds management requires organization, balancing demands, overcoming obstacles and encouraging growth within your team. Get insights into these challenges, then learn about key topics including tree and shrub care, building and maintaining a lawn and caring for bituminous paving.

Essentials of Custodial Operations

Get insights on how to organize your custodial operations, then dive into the specifics of each topic area. Learn about area cleaning programs for specific rooms within the school building and the procedures and services required inside and outside the facility. Review equipment and supplies needed for your operation and maintenance considerations for synthetic countertops and tabletops. 

FOP South Course Offerings

Essentials of Facilities Management

Managing school facilities requires a specific knowledge base that isn’t taught elsewhere. Explore school-specific topics including accounting and funding sources, required training for facilities staff and inspections to be done in-house, outsourced or by the government. Learn management skills that cover legislation, evaluations, hiring, leadership styles and discipline. 

Essentials of Maintenance Operations

Get an overview of maintenance operations including maintaining interior and exterior surfaces and systems, roof care, HVAC, electrical, electronic and low voltage systems, sanitary and sewage. Each lesson throughout the day will focus in on one of these areas and provide best practices.

Essentials of Custodial and Grounds Operations — Combined Session

Get insights on how to organize your custodial operations, then dive into the specifics of each topic area. Learn about area cleaning programs for specific rooms within the school building and the procedures and services required inside and outside the facility. Review equipment and supplies needed for your operation and maintenance considerations for synthetic countertops and tabletops. Effective grounds management requires organization, balancing demands, overcoming obstacles and encouraging growth within your team. Get insights into these challenges, then learn about key topics including tree and shrub care, building and maintaining a lawn and caring for bituminous paving.