Mark Baginski accomplished a significant achievement this past weekend by being the first candidate of Verde Design to graduate from the Coalition for Adequate School Housing (CASH) School Facilities Leadership Academy, 14th cohort. The School Facilities Leadership Academy (SFLA) is a collaborative initiative between CASH and the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT), designed to develop outstanding leaders in the educational field committed to improving educational quality across California. This extensive nine-month program provides an immersive, in-person leadership training experience, equipping school facilities professionals with vital skills and knowledge for their roles. Since its establishment in 2006, the academy has successfully graduated over 300 leaders in school facilities management. The curriculum covers a broad spectrum of leadership topics, including school facilities planning, financing, site acquisition and management, collaboration with architects in educational design, engagement with state and local agencies, public school construction, program management and accountability, as well as maintenance and operations.

Mark has established himself as a leading figure in the design of athletic and outdoor educational facilities in California, boasting over three decades of professional experience. His extensive portfolio features a wide range of projects, including district and campus-wide athletic facility master planning, cutting-edge track and field venues, baseball and softball fields, tennis/hard courts, and aquatic facilities, as well as quads and outdoor learning environments. A hallmark of Mark’s design approach is his dedication to a unified “big idea,” which guarantees that each project is in harmony with the broader goals and aspirations of his clients. His vast experience in guiding multidisciplinary development teams from the initial programming phases to construction management provides him with a well-rounded skill set that significantly contributes to the successful execution of his projects. We are proud that Mark takes great pride in his commitment to ongoing learning and active participation in the associations to which he belongs. His dedication not only enhances his own expertise but also enables him to effectively share this knowledge with his clients and apply it to their projects.