Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.

Feds to give schools
$5 million for repairs

By Crystal Kua
Star-Bulletin

Public schools that serve many military children will get $5 million in federal aid for campus repair and maintenance.

State Schools Superintendent Paul LeMahieu said yesterday that the added federal funding will free state repair and maintenance dollars that can be used in other schools.

"It ends up helping all schools," LeMahieu said.

Star-Bulletin file photo
Workers inspect lockers in need of maintenance in this photo
taken at Castle High School last summer. Lawmakers are trying
to tackle a $240 million backlog in school repair projects.

The Senate and House Education committees heard several options yesterday -- including the added military funding -- to attack a $240 million backlog of repair and maintenance work at Hawaii's public schools.

During the information briefing, representatives of several agencies also suggested:

Creating a fund to save money for future repairs of new buildings by setting aside a percentage of construction funds. The governor is proposing such legislation.

Using short-term government bonds instead of long-term bonds to broaden the kinds of repairs that qualify.

Looking to the private sector to see how it plans for and funds maintenance of buildings such as condominiums.

Sustaining a consistent level of funding for a systematic approach to repairs.

Allowing the Department of Education to determine amount of money allocated to school for minor repairs based on the size of schools and other factors.

State Department of Accounting and General Services operating funds for the school repair and maintenance program have been steadily reduced since 1991 but since 1998, lawmakers have tried to use construction funds to make up for the loss of operating funds.

This year, however, DAGS has an operating budget of $9.5 million for school repair and maintenance with no additional capital improvement project funds.

As a result, most of the repairs end up being emergency repairs and money at times can't be distributed evenly according to a formula.

"It's getting to the point where we can't even pay attention to that formula because of health and safety (concerns)," facilities chief Lester Chuck said.

James Richardson, chief of DAGS' Central Services Division, said a consistent level of funding of $51 million annually is needed to keep on top of repairs.

LeMahieu said all schools have great need. The $5 million in military appropriations, which was garnered with the help of U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye, will be divided among the 12 to 14 public schools with large numbers of military dependents.

The money apparently will be funneled to the U.S. Corps of Engineers to disburse for Hawaii school projects. LeMahieu said a joint department-and-military task force will decide the mechanism to distribute the money.