Thread by @celinegounder

1/ We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fix our crumbling schools:

thehill.com/opinion/educat… me with @j_g_allen

cc:
Sen @MartinHeinrich
@SenJackReed
Rep @BobbyScott
Rep @DorisMatsui

2/ A recent @ASCETweets report on the state of our schools found:
- 53% of public schools need to update or replace building systems
- 41% report problems with their HVAC
- 1/3 use portable buildings
infrastructurereportcard.org/cat-item/schoo…

3/ Over the past year, Congress has passed multiple bills making up to $170B available for improvements in school infrastructure, including measures to improve indoor air quality.

More funding will also be available through the infrastructure and budget reconciliation bills.

4/ Yet few school districts have taken action. Why?
- They’re already under attack by parents who are opposed to other pandemic-related public health measures, like masking.
- Many school districts lack the staffing and expertise to take this on.

5/ Yet few school districts have taken action. Why?
- Infrastructure improvements take time, and school districts need to spend American Rescue Plan funding by 2024.
- Many believe that their school buildings are too old and not designed to allow for recommended upgrades.

6/ Yet few school districts have taken action. Why?
- Ventilation and air filtration, in particular, are largely invisible. Upgrading a school’s HVAC system isn’t as sexy as paying for technology upgrades, staffing and lunch for all students.

7/ How do we get schools & other public buildings to invest in ventilation and air filtration?

How do we make improvements in ventilation and air filtration "sexy"?

8/ We need federal school infrastructure strike teams to:
- help school districts assess infrastructure
- come up with plans to upgrade their buildings & HVAC systems
- solicit input from staff, parents, students & community
- contract with local vendors to get the work done

9/ We need federal school infrastructure strike teams to (continued):
- create indoor air quality, water quality & energy efficiency dashboards to improve accountability & make the invisible visible.