Report: Florida’s School Infrastructure Earns D+

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The infrastructure of Florida’s schools received a D+ on the 2008 American Society of Civil Engineer’s Infrastructure Report Card, which estimates billions of dollars in funding are needed to make necessary infrastructure upgrades.

In order to effectively achieve the Classroom for Kids program’s goal by the mandated 2010-11 school year, ASCE estimates the district will need to spend $3 billion on the state’s infrastructure. The program requires that class sizes for core curricula not exceed 18 students in pre-kindergarten through third grade, 22 students in fourth through eighth grade and 25 students in ninth through 12th grades.

Four areas were analyzed by the report including condition, level of service, security and safety, and asset management. The D+ rating was based on the condition of the schools, which was derived from funding requests to the Office of Educational Facilities.

Funding was requested for HVAC replacements or repairs from 91 percent of schools; life safety issues from 73 percent of schools; fire alarm upgrades from 64 percent of schools; and indoor air quality testing, asbestos and mold issues from 55 percent of schools. Every school reviewed requested funding for roof replacement or repair. Less than 30 percent of requests were for plumbing; emergency generators; and site security, fencing and walkways.

Florida’s 67 school districts operate 3,098 schools with an average student population of 2.6 million during the 2007-08 school year. During the past 25 years, the state has seen an uneven growth rate of 1.39 percent. However, student population rates have varied in different districts with Osceola County experiencing a 6.13 increase and other counties experiencing a steady decline in student population.

To compensate for expected growth and meet new standards, the report states that Florida should focus on expanding student work areas. Funding for construction, renovation, remodeling and repairs to schools can come from the state-run Classrooms for Kids program but should also come from the districts.

The report recommended that 45 percent of school costs be funded by local school districts. One solution offered by ASCE was to expand federal tax credits to increase the use of school construction bonds. The proposal also states that funding from federal grant programs for high-poverty, high-need districts should be increased.

ASCE reported the average cost of construction per square foot for new schools in Florida is about $193 for elementary schools, $180 for middle schools and $175 for high schools.