Washington, DC (April 30, 2008) – Schools across America are one step closer to receiving desperately needed federal aid for school construction and repair, announced Congressman Rubén Hinojosa. Earlier today, Hinojosa joined the House Education and Labor Committee to approve timely legislation that would provide schools with access to funding for modernization, renovation, and repair projects.
“Our students should be learning in safe and healthy environments. It is simply unacceptable that so many schools stand in disrepair while children sit in their classrooms,” said Hinojosa. “Research has shown that a quality environment translates into higher student achievement. We owe it to America’s students to make sure that our schools remain bastions of learning rather than another barrier on their road to a quality education.”
Despite the need to modernize many of America’s school buildings, the federal government has only once, in 2001, provided significant direct aid to help states and schools pay for school construction and repair. According to recent reports, America’s schools are billions of dollars short of the funding they need to bring their facilities up to par. In 2000, the National Center for Education Statistics said it would take $127 billion to bring schools into overall good condition, concluding that 75 percent of schools were in various stages of disrepair. A 2000 study by the National Education Association found that $322 billion would be needed to make all schools “safe, well-constructed,” and “up-to-date” technologically.
The 21st Century High-Performing Public Schools Facilities Act (H.R. 3021) would authorize $6.4 billion for school construction projects for fiscal year 2009. It would also ensure that school districts will receive funds without delay so that they can start improving learning environments for students as quickly as possible.
The bill also encourages energy efficiency and the use of renewable resources in schools. It requires that funds be used for projects that meet three widely recognized green building standards: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design; Energy Star; or Collaborative for High Performance Schools – or equivalent state or local standards. Schools districts would be able to waive the green building requirements in certain cases where they are impractical, but the bill still ensures that at least 90 percent of funds will be used for green projects by 2013.
“Making our schools energy efficient is a smart investment that will help save money and protect our environment for our future leaders learning in classrooms today,” said Hinojosa.
The bill was approved by a vote of 28 to 19. It will next be considered on the House floor.
“Our students should be learning in safe and healthy environments. It is simply unacceptable that so many schools stand in disrepair while children sit in their classrooms,” said Hinojosa. “Research has shown that a quality environment translates into higher student achievement. We owe it to America’s students to make sure that our schools remain bastions of learning rather than another barrier on their road to a quality education.”
Despite the need to modernize many of America’s school buildings, the federal government has only once, in 2001, provided significant direct aid to help states and schools pay for school construction and repair. According to recent reports, America’s schools are billions of dollars short of the funding they need to bring their facilities up to par. In 2000, the National Center for Education Statistics said it would take $127 billion to bring schools into overall good condition, concluding that 75 percent of schools were in various stages of disrepair. A 2000 study by the National Education Association found that $322 billion would be needed to make all schools “safe, well-constructed,” and “up-to-date” technologically.
The 21st Century High-Performing Public Schools Facilities Act (H.R. 3021) would authorize $6.4 billion for school construction projects for fiscal year 2009. It would also ensure that school districts will receive funds without delay so that they can start improving learning environments for students as quickly as possible.
The bill also encourages energy efficiency and the use of renewable resources in schools. It requires that funds be used for projects that meet three widely recognized green building standards: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design; Energy Star; or Collaborative for High Performance Schools – or equivalent state or local standards. Schools districts would be able to waive the green building requirements in certain cases where they are impractical, but the bill still ensures that at least 90 percent of funds will be used for green projects by 2013.
“Making our schools energy efficient is a smart investment that will help save money and protect our environment for our future leaders learning in classrooms today,” said Hinojosa.
The bill was approved by a vote of 28 to 19. It will next be considered on the House floor.
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