ASCE Holds Back Schools With A D+ On Infrastructure Report Card

In light of recent infrastructure failures, Americans anticipate sizeable federal investments in national dams and roadways. But schools should rank high on the priority list, according to the 2017 Infrastructure Report Card by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

Sitting on about two million acres of U.S. soil, nearly 100,000 public school buildings host about 50 million students and six million adults per day. Many double as emergency shelters, civic centers and hosts of community athletic events.

Each year sees heavier and heavier traffic. From 1994 to 2013, school districts around the nation opened about 13,000 facilities to accommodate a population growth of five million students. From fall 2013 through spring 2026, enrollment will continue to expand by an estimated 1.4 million.

“State and local governments face a constant challenge to keep up with operations and maintenance and the need for new construction, in addition to accommodating improved health and safety standards, stronger accessibility requirements and new technology,” ASCE's report read.

What Will This Cost?

In 2014, school districts spent $14 billion on construction projects, but this had minimal impact. ASCE recorded annual unmet need of $38 billion.

Insufficient investments have allowed facilities to fall in disrepair nationwide, and in 2017, 24 percent of school buildings were considered to be in fair or poor condition. More than 53 percent required updates and repairs to earn a “good” condition rating.

Infrastructure projects and expansions are funded differently in different states, with five states covering nearly all public school capital costs and 12 covering none. The U.S. government provides little to no support — but that may need to change.

In order to address maintenance concerns and accommodate actualized and anticipated population growth, educational facilities require an estimated $112 billion beyond the $45.8 billion already secured.

What Are The Consequences?

The renovations aren't just required for student comfort or enhanced educational experiences, but also for general safety.

“This secondary function has a significant role in public health, safety and welfare and requires facilities that are maintained to function in emergencies and resilient to quickly recover,” the ASCE report read. "Many schools require upgrades to effectively fulfill this important community purpose, including windows that can withstand high winds, structures designed to survive earthquakes, and rooms specifically designed as shelters from tornados.”

Related Link: The True Cost Of Fixing America’s Infrastructure

Related Link: Here’s How The U.S. Government Can Pay For Trump’s $1 Trillion Infrastructure Plan