In late April, the House Education and Labor Committee took a step towards providing critical funding for school construction and modernization when it passed the 21st Century High-Performing Public Schools Facilities Act (H.R. 3021) by a vote of 28-19. The bill now goes to the House floor, where it is currently awaiting consideration.

Introduced by Rep. Ben Chandler (D-KY), the bill would provide $6.4 billion in grants to states and local school districts for school construction, renovation, and modernization, while encouraging schools to become more energy efficient. The bill would require most funds to be used for school improvement projects that meet widely recognized green building standards and encourage schools to track their energy use and carbon footprints.

NASSP has endorsed the 21st Century High-Performing Public Schools Facilities Act and in a letter of support to the committee, NASSP Executive Director Gerald N. Tirozzi stated, “The demands of today’s educational programs and services are overwhelming the structural capacity of schools in America–many of which were built nearly fifty years ago. Growing communities across our country cannot build schools fast enough to accommodate increasing student populations. Too many of America’s children go to school in overcrowded buildings with leaky roofs, faulty electrical systems, and outdated technology, all of which compromises their ability to achieve, succeed, and build the educational foundations necessary for the 21st century workforce. Modern, more efficient schools will improve the learning environment for students, enhance the workplace for school administrators, teachers, and other school staff, and most importantly will help advance student achievement in urban, rural and suburban communities in every state.”

H.R. 3021 faces an uphill battle in the full House where there is Republican concern regarding the appropriate role of the federal government in education “The federal government has always maintained a limited role in education, focusing on key academic priorities such as closing achievement gaps between disadvantaged students and their peers and ensuring services for children with disabilities. The construction and maintenance of schools are among the most fundamental rights and responsibilities belonging to communities, and the idea that we would move to federalize this role is nothing short of a stunning federal power grab,” said Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA), the senior Republican on the House Education and Labor Committee.

McKeon and other Republicans on the committee offered several amendments that sought to derail the legislation, however Democrats blocked these efforts.

The average school building is over 40 years old, and a 2000 study by the Department of Education found that it would take $127 billion to bring schools into overall good condition. Moreover, with state and district budgets tightening, there is a clear need for a stronger federal presence in school construction and modernization funding.

Despite broad support from education and labor groups, Republican opposition combined with the bill’s price tag and reluctance from fiscally conservative Democrats to support additional spending, may slow or even halt passage of this legislation.

You can be sure that NASSP will continue working with policymakers and other education groups to advance this legislation. We’ll keep you updated as developments occur, so check back often!