How can long-term infrastructure planning and innovative financing shape the future of public education? In this session, Lunda Asmani shares the strategic approach taken by Norwalk Public Schools in Connecticut, USA, to modernize and maintain school facilities through a comprehensive 25-year, $428 million capital infrastructure plan.
Over the past five years alone, Norwalk has invested $213 million in constructing four new schools, demonstrating a deep commitment to learning environments that meet 21st-century standards. The plan is financed through a mix of tax-exempt municipal bonds, state school construction reimbursements, and participation in statewide tax-exempt infrastructure financing programs. These tools ensure fiscal sustainability while upholding intergenerational equity, allowing future beneficiaries of the schools to share in their cost.
The session will also spotlight the role of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) in advocating for the preservation of the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds, which serve as a vital financing vehicle for public infrastructure across the United States. As GFOA President, Lunda will discuss national policy efforts and how these strategies can inform global approaches to funding public assets.
In addition, attendees will learn about GFOA’s strategic partnership with the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) to advance best practices in strategic asset management. This collaboration promotes shared values of lifecycle planning, financial stewardship, and long-term sustainability, principles that resonate both in the U.S. and in Australia.
Participants will leave with actionable insights on aligning financial strategy with infrastructure priorities, building cross-sector partnerships, and delivering resilient, future-ready public assets that truly serve their communities.