The State of School Buildings

By Tracy Healy and Carolyn Staskiewicz

In school districts nationwide, all you have to do is look at the buildings, and the statistic makes sense: Approximately 3 million students attend public schools that require major renovation or replacement. The average public school, built during the Baby Boom era, is almost 50 years old. Many schools on the East Coast were built more than 75 years ago. Wear and tear alone are reason enough to give the buildings a major facelift, not to mention the technology and infrastructure requirements necessary for a 21st century educational facility.

But, given the financial burdens most school districts face, it is obvious they can’t do it alone. That’s one reason that, in this age of No Child Left Behind, we believe more and more state education officials should consider this adage: “No School Building Left Behind.” And legislatures should start by making a commitment to statewide educational facilities assessments. 

Would you like to continue reading?
Subscribers please click here to continue reading. If you are not a subscriber, please click here to purchase this article or to obtain a subscription to ASBJ.