Can the state of Arizona afford to not maintain school buildings? According to Tom Horne, the State Superintendent of Education, the bad economy has resulted in postponed maintenance at educational facilities.
In an article in the Arizona Republic last week, Horne was quoted saying ?This year it?s understandable because the economy is doing so badly, but when there?s a recovery, I?m hoping the board will fund maintenance of buildings, because the longer you wait the more expensive it is to make repairs.? OK, no argument there, however aren?t there other things to consider as well? Such as, the more time that passes, the more likely building disrepair could lead to potentially dangerous environments for our children? Shouldn?t the potential dangers to our children be weighed with at least the same importance as expense?
Earlier this year, two schools have had roofs collapse. In March, the roof of a school in the Kyrene School District in Tempe, Arizona fell in. Kyrene is considered one of the best school districts in the Phoenix area. Thankfully, no students were in the building at the time and no one was hurt.
Structural engineers have told parents that the collapse was due to renovations to the roof in the mid-1990s. Although roofing contractors inspected the work, it was never examined by a structural engineer. The collapse raised new questions regarding the state's School Facilities Board, which is responsible for having engineers inspect our schools every five years. Board representatives, however, claim the agency is under-funded, thus are unable to keep up with inspections.
"We need at least some funding for safety for our kids," said parent, Ruben M., who attended the meeting with his son and daughter. Parent Mitsy E., whose children have all attended Kyrene Schools said, "The state is letting us down. The state is definitely not paying for the maintenance of our buildings". As a result of the collapse, Kyrene district officials ordered visual inspections of 24 facilities, including the district office. "Of those, at least four schools had preventative maintenance that was identified for immediate attention. Each community was informed via a letter that went home with students," according to a statement released recently on the school district?s website.
Do we really have to wait until a roof collapses on children before we make sure their school buildings are safe? Is the state be better able to afford a liability lawsuit and paying damages to affected families more than the cost of building maintenance?
What is the cost to hire the skilled engineers to inspect the more than 1400 schools in the state of Arizona? Is it be possible that some of these engineers might agree to perform these necessary inspections for little or no charge; simply for the good of Arizona, its children and our schools? Do we not all have a responsibility to contribute in this failing economy? It indeed appears that movement is underway for this very action.
With school districts facing large budget deficits, Phoenix-area parents are chipping in to help. The Scottsdale, Arizona, school district has received so offers to contribute, that it has mailed parents a list detailing the best ways to lend a hand. In Gilbert, Arizona, parent groups have set up a network for parent-teacher organizations to discuss the best methods of fundraising. In March, parents in Cave Creek, Arizona began a campaign to raise money to help the district cope with the coming year's budget cuts. The ?Step Up!? campaign has so far netted $17,375 in donations. Scottsdale, Arizona has asked parents to volunteer time at schools and lobby the Arizona Legislature to maintain, rather than cut, school spending.
Throughout Arizona, school districts are trying to fill financial gaps caused by budget cuts. Parents have stepped in to help where they can, but they can only do so much. School districts have even gone so far as to ask parents to donate money for professional development and to pay for substitutes and aides. The urgency of sharing the information regarding how to help needs to be pushed to the forefront, with a strong message of, ?Hey, we're not asking you to do this, but here's the protocol if you wish to, " said Jennifer P., a member of the governing board, thanking parents for their support.
Many schools and school districts are asking parents to help, to donate money, supplies and time in anticipation of budget cuts, or in response to budget cuts that have already occurred. Certainly this same methodology can and should extend to school maintenance and safety.
"It's wonderful if you have a parent group that is financially supportive and can help you, but every school is not in that shape and every school does not have that opportunity," Chaparral Principal Mary Lou M. said. It is likely, however, that every school has parents skilled in many different areas of trade. Our communities can and should pitch in as much as we?re able. We need to come together to counter-balance state budget shortfalls with a little sweat and hard work. We, as Americans, should know as well as anyone what it means to help others in need; in helping others, we help ourselves. We can certainly do more than ignore these problems and hope that nothing bad happens. In this time of greatest need, let?s step up and show that we?re listening and willing to lend a hand to protect our children.