Summary: GAO surveyed school officials across the country on the physical condition of their facilities. The survey projects that the nations' elementary and secondary schools need about $112 billion in repairs and upgrades to restore them to good condition. Although two-thirds of America's schools are reported to be in good overall condition, about 14 million students attend schools needing extensive repair or replacement. Also, problems with major building features, such as plumbing, are widespread even among schools said to be in adequate shape. Nearly 60 percent of America's schools reported at least one major building element in disrepair; most of these schools had multiple problems. In addition, about half the school officials reported at least one environmental problem in their schools, such as inadequate ventilation or poor heating and lighting; most of these schools had multiple environmental problems. Some school officials attributed the physical decline of the nation's schools to decisions by school districts to defer vital maintenance and repair expenditures from year to year due to lack of money.
