Kildee Addresses Disparity in School Facility Quality

Press Release

The House of Representatives last night passed a bill that would provide schools access to the funding needed to help ensure that learning environments are safe, healthy, energy-efficient, and technologically advanced. H.R. 3021, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act, approved by a vote of 250-164, would make Michigan's 5th Congressional District schools eligible for more than $24 million in school modernization, renovation and repair grants. Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) joined Representatives Ben Chandler (D-KY) and George Miller (D-CA) in introducing the measure.

"This bill would help our teachers teach and our students learn, create jobs, and protect the environment. And, by providing the resources to ensure that students, teachers and principals have safe, healthy, modern, energy efficient, and environmentally friendly learning spaces, this bill would send children the message that we truly value every one of them," said Kildee.

Schools serving higher percentages of minority or low-income families report more inadequate buildings or building features and unsatisfactory environmental conditions. Inadequate conditions at a school facility can adversely affect teacher retention and student achievement.

While Congress and President Clinton's administration provided $1.2 billion in funding for emergency school repairs in 2001, the Bush administration has not provided direct funding for general school construction in any of its budgets over the last eight years. As a result, schools have been forced to rely mostly on state and local funding for any repair or renovation projects.

"In its most recent infrastructure report card, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave American schools a ‘D'. That is unacceptable," said Kildee. "Not only will this bill take a great step toward changing that, but it will address other critical needs by providing jobs and encouraging green building."

H.R. 3021 would authorize $6.4 billion for school renovation and modernization projects for fiscal year 2009 and would ensure that school districts quickly receive funds for projects that improve schools' teaching and learning climates, health and safety, and energy efficiency. To further encourage energy efficiency and the use of renewable resources in schools, the bill would ensure that the majority of funds for school improvement projects meet widely recognized green building standards and would provide funding for states to help schools track their energy use and carbon footprints.

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