School buildings in the United States are in poor condition and require hundreds of billions of dollars in repairs.
This is due to many factors, including the age of the buildings, inadequate funding, and deferred maintenance.
The average age of public school buildings is 44 years old, which means many were built during the baby boom era. Consequently, these buildings are aging and need repair or replacement. In addition, schools are often underfunded, which means they don’t have the money necessary to make the required repairs.
Finally, deferred maintenance is a huge problem for schools. This is when repairs are put off because there isn’t enough money to do them right away. Over time, these deferred repairs can become much more expensive and difficult to fix.
All of these factors combine to create a perfect storm regarding the state of our school buildings. It’s not an easy problem to solve, but it’s one that we need to address if we want to provide our students with safe and modern learning environments.
Funding school construction
Some states barely provide any funding for school construction, while others fare much better. Local financing is often contingent on a prosperous property tax base and the ability to collect more taxes from voters– areas with little poverty are at an advantage here.
The federal government has also been a source of funding for school construction, but these funds have been declining in recent years. In the past, the government has provided money for projects related to asbestos removal or energy efficiency. Nowadays, most of the money schools get comes from grants that can be used for different things, like construction.
This means that there is a lot of competition for money to repair and improve school buildings. Despite this, some people have come up with ideas that could help.
President Joe Biden has proposed a federal investment in school infrastructure that is unmatched since the 1930s. He has proposed $50 billion in grants and $50 billion in bonds.
However, this week Biden and a group of senators from both parties proposed an infrastructure plan that does not include money for school buildings. Some people in the Democratic party are pushing to connect the bipartisan agreement with a more comprehensive investment package that could fund schools.
The effects of COVID-19
COVID-19 has scrambled the supply chain for labor and materials needed for construction projects, driving up costs unexpectedly. Additionally, schools struggle to fit these projects into tight schedules during summer, when fewer students and staff are present due to pandemic-related closures.
The pandemic has also created new challenges in designing and building school facilities. For example, many schools are now incorporating features like outdoor classrooms and enhanced ventilation systems to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
All these factors make it even more complicated—and expensive—to address the already daunting task of repairing and improving our school buildings.
Some school districts received minimal to no stimulus aid through the federal Title I formula because their allocation is more likely going towards covering pandemic-related costs or preparing learning acceleration programs. Districts have been left to rely on other sources of revenue, like general obligation bonds or local property taxes, to finance school construction projects.
Alaska recently spent four years and $60 million to relocate a school building in the Kivalina community from a barrier island. Several similar projects are on the horizon, costing between $40-$50 million.
Ventilation upgrades
In California, ventilation upgrades must consider wildfires and their effect on air quality. According to LAX Concrete Contractors CEO Bruce Rodriguez, “You must think about the air quality and how that interacts with the building. You want to ensure you’re not bringing in outside air full of toxins and pollutants.”
He added, “it’s a tricky process, and it’s something that we’re all still learning about. Every summer, we have to be ready for the potential of a wildfire affecting how we do business. Every student and school building in California is affected by this issue.”
Students in Baltimore and New Jersey have had to stay home because buildings got too hot due to a lack of air conditioning.
Some school districts are taking advantage of energy-efficiency grants, like those offered by the Department of Energy, to help offset the cost of installing new HVAC systems. But these grants can be challenging to obtain, and they don’t always cover the project’s total cost.
The stakes are high for communities that have different needs and expectations.
Ohio facilities chief Drerup recommends engaging with the community to figure out how to improve infrastructure. “It’s essential to get a sense of what the community wants, what their priorities are, and make sure that we’re being good stewards of the taxpayer money,” she said.
In some cases, school buildings are so old and in such disrepair that it’s impossible to repair them. Demolition and rebuilding are often the only option.
The decision to rebuild or renovate a school is complex, considering many factors. But one thing is sure: the need for safe and well-maintained school buildings is more urgent than ever.
For most schools, repairing and improving existing buildings is the best option. But with already tight budgets and the added challenges of the pandemic, it’s not always possible. When deciding to rebuild or renovate, schools must consider many factors to make the best decision for their community.