Steven Holt: “America's schools are in a State of disrepair, and that is interfering with the education of today's students. On…”

“America's schools are in a State of disrepair, and that is interfering with the education of today's students. On average, schools were built about 50 years ago to meet the oncoming demand of the baby boom generation, and they are now in disrepair. The General Accounting Office reports that now one-third of our public schools are in need of extensive repair or replacement. Nearly 60 percent of schools need new roofs, walls, plumbing and heating systems or electric and power systems. Over half pose environmental concerns, such as poor ventilation, flaking paint, crumbling plaster, and nonfunctioning toilets. Leave no child behind; is that the phrase the President has appropriated for his use? How can we expect to reform education and improve student achievement when so many schools are crumbling? We cannot relegate it to the back burner. We must ensure that our schools are safe and modern and that we have modern technology. However, local school districts cannot handle this problem alone. Property tax payers are beleaguered by the costs of a growing student population. The repairs are just too expensive.”