Reversing the Cycle of Deterioration in the Nation’s Public School Buildings

This report, produced from two years of collaboration among more than twenty school facility and finance leaders, highlights the impact of ongoing financial constraints on maintenance practices. Urban school districts across the United States are facing a crisis due to rapidly deteriorating school infrastructures, which hinder their ability to support effective learning. Districts have often resorted to short-term cost-saving measures that undermine effective preventive maintenance, leading to increased future repair costs and disruptions in educational environments. Research shows a direct link between the condition of school facilities and student performance, underscoring the importance of addressing infrastructure issues. The report provides contemporary references on this correlation and outlines strategies that have successfully improved school facilities, aiming to break the ongoing cycle of deterioration.