Sep 17 Environmental Repair Grants Awarded to Pennsylvania Schools

Sep 17h in Bold Voices by

(September 17, 2024)

The Shapiro Administration recently announced which PA schools will receive funding for environmental repairs. The Administration announced grants earlier this year through the Department of Education’s Environmental Repairs Grants program. Districts, charter schools, and career and technical education centers were encouraged to apply for up to 10 million dollars in funding for facility projects.

This focus aligns with the priorities of many advocacy, medical, and public health efforts to prevent cases of elevated blood lead levels in Pennsylvania through lead remediation, a strategy to reduce risk of exposure for children. Local groups are also monitoring the prevalence and severity of asthma in children attending schools with elevated air pollution. One study found a correlation between high levels of air pollution near schools and asthma rates. According to the PA Health Department, Allegheny county kids have a higher rate of asthma than the national rate, and a disproportionate number of Black and low income communities are affected by poor asthma outcomes.

The Shapiro Administration stated that they would prioritize projects addressing environmental hazards, such as elevated lead levels and asbestos removal. These hazards are linked to poor long-term health outcomes in children, such as asthma, and developmental factors linked to school achievement and attention span. Proposals were instructed to focus on repairs that are known to be linked to improved outcomes for children.

In Allegheny County, 13 school districts, one charter school, and one career and technical education center received funding for a total of $10.7 million. Districts state that they would utilize the funds to replace and repair roofs, doors, floors, carpet, and water drinking stations. These projects will address issues such as lead, mold, asbestos, and air quality. Pittsburgh Public Schools received $4.1 million, which they stated will be used across several school buildings for projects such as installing new lead-filtering drinking water and bottle-filling stations. Allies for Children will continue to monitor the implementation of these grants within Allegheny County school districts as projects begin.

Environmental Repair Grant Awardees in Allegheny County are as follows:

Cristina Codario, Allies for Children Policy Director