Did you know federal, state and local governments provide $878.2 billion to fund K-12 public education each year? (That’s approximately $17,700 per student!)
With that big of an investment, every dollar counts when creating supportive learning environments.
Yet, some schools tend to overlook key opportunities during school budget planning, especially upgrading classroom furniture. Rushed decisions or outdated approaches often lead to missed chances to modernize learning spaces effectively.
This guide will walk you through the questions you need to ask to efficiently allocate your school budget for classroom upgrades.
1. Are we planning for the future?
When was the last time your classroom furniture was updated? Chances are, it’s been a bit.
A recent survey found that fewer than half of schools had undertaken a major building renovation, with the average time since the last update being 14 years. Schools also reported an average of 15 years since their last major furniture replacement or addition.
That’s why it’s important to think about the future when you do have a chance to upgrade classroom furniture. Will the furniture you choose today work 10–15 years from now?
Today, it’s all about flexibility and adaptability. Furniture that can move, adjust or serve multiple purposes, like adjustable–height desks and mobile storage units, makes it easier to adapt to new teaching styles, different class sizes and whatever changes the future brings. At the end of the day, classrooms need to grow with their students and teachers, and that’s not changing anytime soon.
Tour neighboring schools or visit education conferences like EDspaces to see how others tackle modern classroom design. This will help you stay ahead of trends and make choices that will serve students and teachers for years to come.
2. Have we thought about storage?
An organized classroom is a happy classroom! While storage is sometimes forgotten about when school budget planning, it’s important for maintaining a functional and efficient learning environment.
Ask yourself:
- Do classrooms have enough storage for teachers and students?
- Are we using mobile or modular storage that can adapt to changing needs? Or do our spaces need fixed storage?
- How can better storage improve functionality in specialty spaces like career and technical education (CTE) spaces or music rooms?
3. Have we accounted for teacher spaces?
When you start planning out learning spaces, it’s easy to focus all the attention on students. But it’s critical not to forget about the educators. After all, they’re the ones making the biggest impact on students! Invest in high-quality furniture that will make teachers’ jobs easier and more comfortable, like our mobile teacher desks, storage and lecterns.
One way to prepare teachers for success is to involve them in the planning process. They have great insights into what they need to stay organized and productive daily.
4. Are we addressing specialty learning spaces?
Specialty learning spaces, like music rooms, media centers and CTE labs, require furniture designed to meet their unique needs, which standard classroom furniture often cannot address. When planning these spaces, it’s crucial to think about the specific requirements of the students and teachers who will use them.
For example, instrument storage is a must-have in music rooms to keep a variety of instruments organized and protected. Media centers need flexible furniture to rearrange the space for different activities. CTE labs require sturdy, specialized workstations and plenty of storage for tools and equipment.
5. Are we prioritizing quality and durability?
Classroom furniture has been known to take quite the beating. That’s why it’s essential to choose pieces that can handle daily wear and tear. While durable furniture might cost more upfront, it often saves money over time by lasting longer and needing fewer repairs or replacements. And don’t forget to check for a solid warranty (because you never know when you’ll need to use it).
6. Are we leaving enough time for strategic decisions?
Every year, many schools find themselves in the same situation: realizing in March or April that they still have budget funds to spend before the summer deadline. While it can be easy to procrastinate, finding a furniture dealer or manufacturer now can save a lot of headaches later.
Starting school budget planning early gives you time to:
- Compare options and find the right solutions.
- Take advantage of pre-build programs, like our Build & Hold Program, to avoid delays during peak ordering times.
- Ensure your furniture is delivered and installed on time.
7. If we have a limited school budget, how can we maximize it?
Over $100 billion in school bonds were approved in 2024, but only some districts saw the results they hoped for.
But don’t worry! If your bond didn’t pass and you’re now facing a limited school budget, there are still several effective ways to make the most out of your existing money:
- Partner with manufacturers who can offer creative, cost-effective solutions that are made of durable materials that stand the test of time, like our EON legs and classic laminate top options.
- Focus on areas that matter most – like flexible seating or better storage – that make the biggest difference in day-to-day functionality.
- As mentioned previously, plan ahead by taking advantage of pre-build programs. These programs allow you to lock in current pricing before it inevitably increases the following year.
Leveraging Expert School Budget Planning Help
School budget planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Engaging with dealers or manufacturers (Like us!) in the early stages of budget planning can help take the guesswork out of furniture selection and design. We’ll work with you to create future-proof spaces – without adding more to your plate. Contact us today or find a dealer near you to get started.