FACT SHEET: Repairing and Modernizing America’s Schools

Today, President Obama submitted to Congress the American Jobs Act, a bill designed to jumpstart economic growth and job creation. Tomorrow, the President will visit the Fort Hayes Arts and Academic High School in Columbus, Ohio to highlight his proposal to put workers back on the job by rebuilding and modernizing schools across the country.  This report details the benefits of this program for each state as well as the 100 largest high-need public school districts which will receive funds directly.  

The President is proposing a $25 billion investment in school infrastructure that will modernize at least 35,000 public schools.  This investment will create jobs, while improving classrooms and upgrading our schools to meet 21st century needs. It also includes a priority for rural schools and dedicated funding for Bureau of Indian Education-funded schools. Funds can be used for a range of emergency repair and renovation projects, greening and energy efficiency upgrades, asbestos abatement and removal, and modernization efforts to build new science and computer labs and to upgrade the technology infrastructure in our schools. The President is also proposing a $5 billion investment in modernizing community colleges (including tribal colleges), bolstering their infrastructure in this time of need while ensuring their ability to serve future generations of students and communities.

OHIO SNAPSHOT

• Under the American Jobs Act Ohio could receive up to $985,500,000in funding for K-12 schools to support as many as 12,800jobs. Included in this amount are direct funds for four of Ohio’s largest school districts.
  • The Cleveland Municipal School District could receive up to $129.6 million in funds
  • The Columbus  City School District could receive up to $111.6 million in funds
  • The Cincinnati City School District could receive up to $61.1 million in funds
  • The Toledo City School District could receive up to $54.3 million in funds
• In addition Ohio could receive $148,300,000in funding in the next fiscal year for its community colleges.

 **See tables below for the complete state by state and district by district breakdown of the President’s school construction jobs plan.**

How the American Jobs Act Will Rebuild and Modernize America’s  Schools

The President is proposing that we invest $30 billion in enhancing the condition of our nation’s public schools and community colleges.  This money would fund a range of critical repairs and needed renovation projects that would put hundreds of thousands of Americans – construction workers, engineers, maintenance staff, boiler repair, and electrical workers – back to work.  And it will help modernize at least 35,000 public schools – from science labs and internet-ready classroom upgrades to renovated facilities.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) awarded the United States a ‘D’ for the condition of its public school infrastructure.  The average public school building in the United States is over 40 years old, and many are much older.  Schools spend over $6 billion annually on their energy bills, more than they spend on computers and textbooks combined.  Hands-on STEM education is critical for our children to be prepared for the jobs of the future, and yet 43 states reported that one-third or more of their schools do not meet all of the functional requirements necessary to effectively teach laboratory science.  

The cost of maintaining nearly 100,000 public schools and facilities in good repair is substantial for already overstretched districts.  The accumulated backlog of deferred maintenance and repair amounts to at least $270 billion.  For children in the nation’s poorest districts, these deferred projects too often mean schools with crumbling ceilings, overcrowded classrooms, and classrooms without basic wiring infrastructure for technology needed for students to master 21st century skills.

The President’s plan calls for substantial investments in our school infrastructure, modernizing at least 35,000 of America’s public schools to meet 21st-century needs and supporting repairs and upgrades in the nation’s community colleges. 

• $25 billion in funds will be used to upgrade existing public school facilities. 10 billion of the funds will be directed toward 100 largest high-need public school districts. 15 billion of the funds will be directed to the states. Funds cannot be used for new construction. The President’s plan also proposes $5 billion of investments for facilities modernization needs at community colleges.
• Safer, Healthier, and Technologically Advanced Schools of the Future.   Permissible uses of funds would include a range of emergency repair and renovation projects, greening and energy efficiency upgrades, asbestos abatement and removal, and modernization efforts to build new science and computer labs and to upgrade technology infrastructure in our schools.   Local districts will also be able to put these funds to work to invest in upgrades to allow schools to continue to serve as centers of the community –including upgrades to shared spaces for adult vocational and job development centers.  These efforts will not only make our schools safer and healthier learning environments, but also ensure that our schools are fully equipped to teach 21st century skills in math, science, and other technical fields and to serve as effective centers for workforce training and development.
• Maximum flexibility to the states and funding for small repairs and large-scale maintenance and upgrade projects. Funds could be used for a range of projects, including greening and energy-efficiency upgrades; asbestos abatement and removal; improvements to after-school facilities and community spaces; and modifications to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• To ensure that schools in the most disrepair will be able to make necessary enhancements, almost 40 percent of the funds will be directed toward the 100 largest high-need public school districts.   Each of the 100 Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) with the largest numbers of children living in poverty would receive a formula amount proportionate to its Elementary and Secondary Education Act Title I Part A allocation within 60 days of enactment.
• The remaining approximately 60 percent will be given to states to allocate, and states would have flexibility to direct those funds to additional high-need districts, including schools in rural areas.  Funding would be allocated to states on the basis of their Title I shares. States would be required to obligate those funds by September 30, 2012, and outstanding balances would be reallocated to other states. States would direct half the funding to local school districts on a formula basis, and the other half through an application process in the most high-need districts, with a priority for rural districts. A portion of the funding would be set-aside for Bureau of Indian Education schools (0.5 percent) and for the Outlying Areas (0.5 percent).
• Funds will be put to work quickly.  For formula grants, states would be required to get funds to districts within 3 to 6 months of enactment and the districts would have to expend the funds within 24 months of enactment.  The selection criteria would prioritize projects that would be completed quickly, while affording grantees more time flexibility for their bigger projects.  To reduce the risk that districts will allow projects to stall, the American Jobs Act requires the funds be spent by September 30, 2012. 
• Community Collegesare also in serious need of upgrades to ensure that facilities are equipped meet the demands of the 21st century workforce.  America’s community college system was built up over 40 years ago to support education and training activities of that time.  Deferred maintenance at community colleges is estimated to be $100 billion. The President’s plan proposes $5 billion of investments for facilities modernization needs at community colleges. Investment in modernizing community colleges fills a key resource gap, and ensures these institutions have the facilities and equipment to address current workforce demands in today’s highly technical and growing fields.  Funds would only be used for the repair, renovation, or modernization of facilities used primarily for instruction and research, including facilities housing programs that prepare students for in-demand jobs.

What The American Jobs Act Means For Each State’s Ability to Modernize and Rebuild Their Schools

The President’s plan will invest $30 billion in enhancing the condition of our nation’s public schools – with $25 billion going to K-12 schools, including a priority for rural schools and dedicated funding for Bureau of Indian Education funded schools, and $5 billion to community colleges (including tribal colleges). The range of critical repairs and needed construction projects would put hundreds of thousands of Americans – construction workers, engineers, maintenance staff, boiler repairmen, and electrical workers – back to work.  

American Jobs Act - Rebuilding and Modernizing America's Schools

Amount of Funds Each State is Eligible for to Invest in K-12 School Infrastructure

Number of Jobs these K-12 School Infrastructure Funds have the Potential to Support

Amount of Funds State is Eligible for to invest in facilities modernization needs at community colleges

Alabama

$ 390.3M

5100

$ 67.5M

Alaska

$ 62.0M

800

$ 2.5M

Arizona

$ 544.4M

7100

$ 116.6M

Arkansas

$ 270.7M

3500

$ 42.4M

California

$ 2812.6M

36600

$ 1131.1M

Colorado

$ 265.1M

3400

$ 57.5M

Connecticut

$ 185.0M

2400

$ 38.0M

Delaware

$ 73.3M

1000

$ 11.6M

D.C.

$ 84.7M

1100

$ 2.5M

Florida

$ 1280.3M

16600

$ 288.4M

Georgia

$ 909.5M

11800

$ 140.6M

Hawaii

$ 82.2M

1100

$ 18.9M

Idaho

$ 93.6M

1200

$ 11.2M

Illinois

$ 1111.6M

14500

$ 212.7M

Indiana

$ 443.4M

5800

$ 79.8M

Iowa

$ 132.6M

1700

$ 56.7M

Kansas

$ 191.4M

2500

$ 45.3M

Kentucky

$ 390.9M

5100

$ 54.7M

Louisiana

$ 516.8M

6700

$ 40.7M

Maine

$ 90.7M

1200

$ 12.8M

Maryland

$ 315.8M

4100

$ 93.9M

Massachusetts

$ 378.6M

4900

$ 68.8M

Michigan

$ 926.3M

12000

$ 157.7M

Minnesota

$ 274.5M

3600

$ 87.8M

Mississippi

$ 335.2M

4400

$ 63.1M

Missouri

$ 422.2M

5500

$ 69.1M

Montana

$ 77.1M

1000

$ 5.7M

Nebraska

$ 106.7M

1400

$ 21.4M

Nevada

$ 168.4M

2200

$ 39.1M

New Hampshire

$ 70.1M

900

$ 8.7M

New Jersey

$ 518.6M

6700

$ 123.8M

New Mexico

$ 196.8M

2600

$ 49.2M

New York

$ 2020.0M

26300

$ 235.3M

North Carolina

$ 675.7M

8800

$ 163.1M

North Dakota

$ 58.9M

800

$ 6.5M

Ohio

$ 985.5M

12800

$ 148.3M

Oklahoma

$ 267.4M

3500

$ 57.5M

Oregon

$ 253.2M

3300

$ 71.2M

Pennsylvania

$ 944.0M

12300

$ 113.2M

Puerto Rico

$  899.6M

6700

$7.9M

Rhode Island

$ 85.6M

1100

$ 12.7M

South Carolina

$ 381.4M

5000

$ 70.8M

South Dakota

$ 75.6M

1000

$ 4.7M

Tennessee

$ 474.7M

6200

$ 61.8M

Texas

$ 2332.1M

30300

$ 458.4M

Utah

$ 138.7M

1800

$ 37.1M

Vermont

$ 57.5M

700

$ 5.3M

Virginia

$ 425.3M

5500

$ 110.1M

Washington

$ 365.1M

4700

$ 83.9M

West Virginia

$ 161.2M

2100

$ 15.4M

Wisconsin

$ 368.7M

4800

$ 79.9M

Wyoming

$ 56.3M

700

$ 11.7M

Other Territories*

$125M

N/A

$12.5M

*Disaggregated data for U.S. Territories is forthcoming 

Estimated Amount of School Modernization Funds Available to 100 Largest Local Education Agencies

To ensure that schools in the most disrepair will be able to make necessary enhancements, almost 10 billion will be directed toward the 100 largest high-need public school districts.  

Estimated Amount of School Modernization Funds Available to 100 Largest Local Education Agencies

NOTE: Estimated Allocations Are Preliminary Projections

State

Local Education Agency

School Modernization 40% Distribution Projection to the 100 Largest Local Education Agencies

AL

Mobile County School District

$ 53.5M

AL

Birmingham City School District

$ 35.2M

AZ

Mesa Unified District

$ 58.8M

AZ

Tucson Unified District

$ 56.5M

AZ

Phoenix Union High School District

$ 32.7M

CA

Los Angeles Unified School District

$ 743.5M

CA

Fresno Unified School District

$ 97.5M

CA

San Diego City Unified School District

$ 91.8M

CA

Long Beach Unified School District

$ 75.5M

CA

San Bernardino City Unified School District

$ 60.3M

CA

Sacramento City Unified School District

$ 46.9M

CA

Oakland Unified School District

$ 42.4M

CA

Santa Ana Unified School District

$ 36.2M

CA

Stockton Unified School District

$ 39.0M

CA

Bakersfield City Elementary School District

$ 34.7M

CA

San Francisco Unified School District

$ 29.8M

CO

Denver County School District 1

$ 75.5M

FL

Dade County School District

$ 267.0M

FL

Broward County School District

$ 125.3M

FL

Hillsborough County School District

$ 122.8M

FL

Palm Beach County School District

$ 98.4M

FL

Orange County School District

$ 87.3M

FL

Duval County School District

$ 80.8M

FL

Polk County School District

$ 61.3M

FL

Pinellas County School District

$ 54.0M

FL

Volusia County School District

$ 38.2M

FL

Lee County School District

$ 34.8M

FL

Pasco County School District

$ 32.4M

FL

Escambia County School District

$ 30.2M

FL

Brevard County School District

$ 30.0M

FL

Marion County School District

$ 28.2M

GA

Gwinnett County School District

$ 79.2M

GA

DeKalb County School District

$ 86.3M

GA

Atlanta City School District

$ 78.6M

GA

Fulton County School District

$ 45.8M

GA

Cobb County School District

$ 42.9M

GA

Clayton County School District

$ 37.5M

GA

Richmond County School District

$ 38.4M

IL

Chicago Public School District 299

$ 609.0M

IN

Indianapolis Public Schools

$ 74.1M

KS

Wichita Unified School District 259

$ 48.5M

KY

Jefferson County School District

$ 75.1M

LA

Orleans Parish School District

$ 85.7M

LA

Jefferson Parish School District

$ 50.2M

LA

East Baton Rouge Parish School District

$ 51.6M

LA

Caddo Parish School District

$ 40.1M

MA

Boston School District

$ 92.4M

MD

Baltimore City Public Schools

$ 114.2M

MD

Prince George's County Public Schools

$ 51.3M

MD

Montgomery County Public Schools

$ 46.5M

MI

Detroit City School District

$ 347.8M

MN

St. Paul Public School District

$ 54.5M

MN

Minneapolis Public School District

$ 53.0M

MO

St. Louis City School District

$ 72.0M

MO

Kansas City School District

$ 34.2M

MS

Jackson Public School District

$ 35.0M

NC

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

$ 82.3M

NC

Wake County Schools

$ 46.0M

NC

Guilford County Schools

$ 42.3M

NC

Cumberland County Schools

$ 32.3M

NC

Forsyth County Schools

$ 31.5M

NE

Omaha Public Schools

$ 45.3M

NJ

Newark City School District

$ 70.7M

NM

Albuquerque Public Schools

$ 63.1M

NV

Clark County School District

$ 153.9M

NY

New York City

$ 1630.6M

NY

Buffalo City School District

$ 67.6M

NY

Rochester City School District

$ 56.0M

OH

Cleveland Municipal School District

$ 129.6M

OH

Columbus City School District

$ 111.6M

OH

Cincinnati City School District

$ 61.1M

OH

Toledo City School District

$ 54.3M

OK

Oklahoma City Public Schools

$ 47.2M

OK

Tulsa Public Schools

$ 36.7M

PA

Philadelphia City School District

$ 395.6M

PA

Pittsburgh School District

$ 44.8M

SC

Greenville County School District

$ 46.0M

SC

Charleston County School District

$ 34.2M

TN

Memphis City School District

$ 123.5M

TN

Nashville-Davidson County School District

$ 67.8M

TX

Houston Independent School District

$ 233.6M

TX

Dallas Independent School District

$ 191.6M

TX

Fort Worth Independent School District

$ 84.9M

TX

Austin Independent School District

$ 69.3M

TX

San Antonio Independent School District

$ 69.1M

TX

El Paso Independent School District

$ 66.2M

TX

Brownsville Independent School District

$ 60.0M

TX

Aldine Independent School District

$ 50.4M

TX

Alief Independent School District

$ 44.8M

TX

Arlington Independent School District

$ 39.1M

TX

Ysleta Independent School District

$ 39.3M

TX

Laredo Independent School District

$ 37.3M

TX

Pasadena Independent School District

$ 33.0M

TX

Northside Independent School District

$ 35.1M

TX

Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District

$ 32.8M

TX

Garland Independent School District

$ 30.8M

TX

La Joya Independent School District

$ 34.8M

TX

Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District

$ 31.6M

TX

Corpus Christi Independent School District

$ 28.2M

WI

Milwaukee School District

$ 168.9M