More money needed to make schools more suitable for learning

A new national report on the state of our schools found that millions of students are learning in schools that are unsafe and crumbling.

The State of our Schools report by The Center for Green Education found that nationwide, we would need to devote $46 billion more to keep schools safe and healthy learning environments for our children.

“We know that there is a direct tie between the condition of the places where our children learn and the health and well-being of our students and teachers,” Rachel Gutter, director of The Center for Green Schools, told ABC-7.

Researchers examined indoor air quality, building materials and how efficiently the buildings use and handle energy, water and waste.

“We see that poor air quality is consistently associated with increased asthma and decreased productivity, and that schools in a state of disrepair have lower attendance rates, and higher rates of suspension.” Gutter said.

Gutter also told ABC-7 that Texas schools are meeting the center’s construction and maintenance standards. But that could change if the state continues its explosive population growth, she added.

“That means that we need to continue spending money at the rate we’ve been spending, perhaps a little bit higher to ensure that the schools that we already have are maintained in good repair.”

The study comes on the heels of the passage of the $430 million bond in the Ysleta Independent School District.

$93 million of the bond will be devoted to rebuilding Eastwood High School, of which some parts are in major disrepair.