Overview

CMOLA is designed and delivered by a Core Faculty who are seasoned professionals with specialties in the areas of K-12 school facilities maintenance and operations and serve from both the public and private sectors of CASH. The scope of learning is wide-ranging, and includes comprehensive facility maintenance and repair, building systems, engineering, legal issues, and public speaking. Graduates of CMOLA are prepared to deliver exceptional
services in school facilities maintenance management and provide extraordinary leadership and stewardship of public school resources.

CASH is now accepting candidates for the CMOLA 2026-27 Cohort.

Learning Objectives

The following learning objectives are emphasized throughout the curriculum:

• Link between school facilities maintenance and student achievement
• Legal requirements for school facility maintenance in California
• Development of maintenance department budgets
• Fundamentals of maintenance planning and scheduling
• Working with school sites on safety protocols and compliance
• Written and verbal communication, including professionally presenting to the school board, cabinet, and public
• Knowledge of building systems and engineering
• Leadership, including integrity, infl uence, character, inspiring a vision, and motivation
• Management, including personnel issues, operational systems, and effi ciencies
• Technical competence and best practices
• Development and presentation of a Capstone Project i.e., a Comprehensive Maintenance Plan, or other topic as may be offered to the Cohort

Who Should Apply

• Maintenance Supervisors/Directors
• Facilities Directors
• Superintendents/Chief Business Officials
• Purchasing Directors

Qualifications

A successful applicant should meet the following criteria:

• Current role within school facility maintenance
• Basic proficiency in email communication and Microsoft Word; ability to learn basic Excel and PowerPoint
• Support from employing organization and immediate supervisor to participate in CMOLA
• Desire to develop leadership skills within current role

 Application Packet

A completed application includes:

• Application Form
• Personal Statement responding to:
  1. Why do you think you would make an excellent candidate for CMOLA?
  2. Describe your career background and current role in public school facilities maintenance.
  3. What are your professional goals over the next five years?
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae (please limit to one page).
• Letter of Recommendation – One page letter of recommendation from your immediate supervisor, describing their support of your participation in CMOLA, as well as your qualifications for acceptance.

FAQS

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

If a participant leaves their employment for any reason during the course of CMOLA, a refund will not be issued. Substitutions are not accepted.

This form will close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Miriam Ellis at the CASH Office, at (916) 448-8577 or by email.

 

Application Timeline

Completed applications are due no later than December 19, 2025.

Selection Notification

Participants are notified by January 30, 2026.

Cancellation and Refunds

Fee is nonrefundable. If a student leaves their employment for any reason during the course, a refund will not be issued to the employer. No participant substitutions are accepted after classes have begun.

Travel and Lodging

Participants are responsible for their own travel and lodging expenses. Meals are provided for Friday dinners and Saturday breakfasts and lunches. All meals will be provided for the Boot Camp.

Program Costs

Tuition fees for the 2026-27 program year:

• Members: $8,240
• Non-members: $8,858

Tuition includes all courses in Northern and Southern California, meals at each session, all instructional materials, books, full registration to attend the 2027 CASH Annual Conference on School Facilities, and other print or electronic items. Tuition is nonrefundable.

CMOLA will kick-off at UCLA’s Lake Arrowhead Lodge in April 2026 for a three-day Boot Camp.

Boot Camp is an intensive session where participants will engage in team-building activities, learn from guest speakers, practice public speaking and learn how AI can enhance their skills for both writing and presenting.

Remaining courses are held in Northern and Southern California. You are required to travel to both locations, depending on where the class is being held that month. Participants will need their own transportation to and from the hotel for all sessions. Carpooling is encouraged.

Monthly sessions begin at 2:00 p.m. Friday afternoons and adjourn at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoons.

Dates and Locations

Session 1:            April 2026 (3-days) - Lake Arrowhead

Session 2:            May 2026 - Sacramento

Session 3:            June 2026 - Sacramento

Session 4:            September 2026 - Sacramento

Session 5:            October 2026 - Southern California

Session 6:            November 2026 - Southern California

Graduation:          CASH Annual Conference on School Facilities - February 2027

Additional Information

Participants are required to attend all sessions in order to meet the eligibility requirements for graduation. Participants are responsible for travel costs to and from Boot Camp, all sessions and the CASH Annual Conference on School Facilities.

Please note: dates and locations are subject to change.

Travel and Lodging – Participants are responsible for their own travel and lodging expenses. There will be a discounted group room block available to the cohort at the host hotels. These expenses are not included in registration fees.

The graduation ceremony is in February 2027 during the CASH 48th Annual Conference on School Facilities. A full registration to the 2027 CASH Annual Conference is included in your tuition fees.

Note: Online assignments and virtual instruction may be given during July and August.

 

 

About CASH

The Coalition for Adequate School Housing (CASH) was founded in 1978 to advocate for K-12 facilities funding and improve school facilities in California. CASH began as a coalition of existing statewide organizations and a few dozen school districts. Over the years, CASH evolved into a single organization that has grown to more than one thousand public and private sector members making it the largest statewide premier organization focused exclusively on school facilities issues.

The number one priority of CASH is to ensure state funding exists to help build new and modernize existing K-12 public school facilities. To that end, CASH has sponsored and supported over $61 billion in statewide school bonds since its inception.

CASH provides education to its members through monthly membership meetings, web-shops, an annual conference in late February/March, and a fall conference in mid-October in Southern California. CASH also provides leadership training through its Maintenance and Operations Leadership Academy (CMOLA) and the School Facilities Leadership Academy (SFLA).

Our Vision

To provide resources for school facilities that serve every child in California through working with the State Legislature and State Agencies.

For more information visit www.cashnet.org.

Please answer the following questions for your Personal Statement:

1. Why do you think you would make an excellent candidate for the CASH Maintenance and Operations Leadership Academy?
2. Describe your career background and current role in public school facilities maintenance.
3. What are your professional goals over the next five years?

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

If a participant leaves their employment for any reason during the course of CMOLA, a refund will not be issued. Substitutions are not accepted.

This form will close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025.

Questions?
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Miriam Ellis at the CASH Office, at (916) 448-8577 or by email.