April 29th, 2016 by WCBC Radio

Aging schools, population shifts and changing educational needs — not to mention changes in the economy — present new challenges as state and local governments try to keep up with construction and renovation needs. A new state panel looking into the methods and costs of school construction met for the first time Thursday in Annapolis, and got an overview of current funding and construction requirements. The Herald Mail reports the 21st Century School Facilities Commission, which includes state officials and private-sector professionals, will spend the next seven months reviewing building specifications, construction practices, enrollment, maintenance and financing to make recommendations for future projects in the state's 24 public-school systems. Key to the discussions will be how curricula and technology will change the way schools educate students.