Previously, state aid was available exclusively for new construction projects. And since 1991, Maryland has urged districts to give primary consideration to improving schools rather than rushing to build new ones. In that time, the portion of state aid spent on renovating old schools vs. constructing new buildings has gone from 53 percent in fiscal 1991 to about 86 percent in the current fiscal year. Although renovating schools requires extensive work to deal with such major problems as asbestos and old wiring that cannot handle today's technology needs, Mr. Stenzler acknowledges that Maryland's older schools were pretty well built. But when they're not, he adds, the argument for saving them is weak.
Some old buildings have to be demolished.
It includes a checklist to help people decide what actions to take to improve their school facilities. Moore Elementary School was one of two old sites the Brentwood, Pa., school district chose to renovate rather than replace. 1998 Editorial Projects in Education Vol.