Our nation's children deserve modern schools.

America's children deserve modern schools. Students need modern, technologically updated schools to prepare them for the global economy of the 21st Century.

Every school day, an estimated 14 million American children attend deteriorating public schools. Roofs leak. Ventilation is poor. Heating and air conditioning systems do not maintain reasonable temperatures. Lighting is inadequate. Plumbing is a constant problem. Some school buildings do not meet basic local and state codes for health and safety.

Rebuild America's Schools is working for federal support for the efforts of local communities to build, renovate and modernize school facilities. We invite you to join us in focusing attention on the issues and finding ways to help communities modernize their schools.

America's Better Classroom Act Introduced

America's Better Classroom Act of 2007, introduced in the U.S. House by Representatives Charles Rangel (D-NY), James Ramstad (R-NY) and Bob Etheridge (D-NC) would provide $25.2 billion in interest-free loan funds over the next two years for public school construction and modernization. Senators Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Tom Harkin (D-IA) and John Kerry (D-MA) have introduced the ABC legislation, S 912, in the U.S. Senate. Modeled after the Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB) program, America's Better Classroom Act (HR 2470/S912) would allow school districts to issue interest-free bonds with bond buyers receiving federal tax credits in lieu of interest. The U.S. Treasury allocates the bond authorization to the states and local school districts apply to their state education agencies for the bonding power. See article.

Civil Engineers Give Schools Another 'D'

Crowded schools and deteriorating school facilities contribute significantly to the erosion of the quality of American life, according to an analysis by the nation’s civil engineers. In its latest evaluation of 12 categories of infrastructure, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave a grade of D to schools and to the overall infrastructure.

It’s uncertain, the report said, whether schools can handle a growing enrollment and the smaller class sizes required by the No Child Left Behind Act. Public school enrollment in school year 2003-04 was 48,173,924, up by 394,000 the year before. Estimates of the funds needed to bring school facilities to good condition range from a low of $127 billion to a high of $268 billion.

The report said $1.6 trillion should be spent over the next five years to alleviate potential problems with the nation’s infrastructure. “Americans are spending more time stuck in traffic and less time at home with their families,” William Henry, ASCE president, said. ASCE issued its first "report card" in 2001.

The first step in addressing the condition of the nation’s schools is a realistic and ongoing needs evaluation, the report declares. The latest Department of Education assessment of needs was in its publication, “Condition of America’s Public School Facilities: 1999.” The report said, “While school operations and facilities are primarily state and local concerns, their performance is an issue of national importance.” It called for a regular update of the 1999 report.

The report concluded: “Given that children are our most precious commodity, we should accept nothing less than the best conditions for our schools. ASCE strongly believes that governments at all levels should make primary and secondary education a priority, and should provide the resources to support the necessary infrastructure.”

Among ASCE’s recommendations are the following:

* Expand federal tax credits to support increased use of school construction bonds;
* Continue and increase federal grants for high-poverty, high-need school districts;
* Consider direct federal funding of school construction;
* Encourage school districts to explore alternative financing; and
* Encourage school districts to adopt regular, comprehensive construction and maintenance programs.

Extension of QZABs Now Before Congress

Congress has before it an extension of the Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB) program for 2008 and 2009. QZABs allow school districts to issue interest-free bonds for the repair or modernization of their school buildings. Bond buyers receive federal tax credits in lieu of interest.

The U.S. Treasury allocates QZABs to the states based on their low-income school population and state education agencies assign the bonding authority to their local school districts. To be eligible, 35 percent of the students in the schools to be served must receive free or reduced-cost lunches under the federal school lunch program.

At present, QZABs can be used for school modernization and renovation, but not for new construction. Proposed legislation would allow its use for new construction such as adding to an existing building. Rebuild America's Schools strongly advocated the continuation of the QZAB program. See QZABs.

Americans Favor National School Rebuilding Program

A significant majority of Americans favor a national public policy directed at rebuilding the country's aging schools and understand the positive effect on students of such construction. Eight in ten surveyed would support an expanded federal role in rebuilding schools and in new school construction. This support cuts across gender, age, income and politics.

A telephone survey conducted by Opinion Dynamics Corporation on behalf of Rebuild America's Schools reached 900 registered U.S. voters obtained by random digit dialing, and found that those surveyed are ready to accept an increased federal role in funding new school construction. Eight in ten supported an expanded federal funding role to assist localities with rebuilding and maintaining public schools.

The average public school building is well past 40 years of age and cannot meet the demands of modern technology. Of the nation’s 80,000 public school buildings, at least one-third need extensive repair or replacement and two-thirds have troublesome environmental conditions such as the presence of asbestos or lead in water and paint. Roofs leak. Ventilation is poor; heating and air conditioning systems don’t work. Lighting is inadequate; plumbing is a problem.

Organizations Concerned about Rural Education is a coalition dedicated to improving school facilities in rural communities.