21st Century School Fund

03/17/2023

Does your District of Columbia Public School have enough custodians?

The building industry has standards for cleaning levels in school buildings. Level 2 cleaning recommended for schools is 20,000 gross square feet for an 8 hour custodial shift. DCPS custodians are not only responsible for cleaning but for doing level one maintenance.

This describes level one maintenance. It includes electrical, painting, ground maintenance and cleaning. An RW5 custodian has 24 hour responsibilities.

Check here to see your school and also see by ward: http://bit.ly/3FxHslr

03/02/2023

PK-12 Public Educational Facilities Master Plan Guide 2023

Proper planning of school facilities is critical for all school districts no matter how large or small, whether major construction is in the works or the district is managing enrollment change. When school districts properly plan for their school facilities, they have better schools, more equitable facilities, and higher value for public spending. Use this guide to help determine whether each element of your district's master plan is following the standard. Download the guide here: https://bit.ly/3Zhko24

03/01/2023

“The first line of defense to ensure a long life to the District’s DC Public Schools assets of $7.2 billion in schools, are the school custodians.” Adequate maintenance will ensure we do not accelerate the natural deterioration of our buildings & grounds. Read 21CSF’s latest blog.

21CSF Testified on the Underfunding of Maintenance Operations at DCPS Schools Sean O'Donnell • March 1, 2023 • Leave a comment Oversight Hearing D.C. Department of General Services, February 28, 2023Testimony: Mary Filardo, Executive Director, 21st Century School Fund Thank you for the opportuni...

02/21/2023

“The poor districts are doing it because they’re chasing after emergencies,” said Mary Filardo, Executive Director of the 21st Century School Fund. is a prime example of long-standing inequities in school funding. Reporting by

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The air-conditioning gave out as students returned from summer break last year to Jim Hill High School in Jackson, Mississippi, forcing them to learn in sweltering heat. By Thanksgiving, students were huddling under blankets because the heat wasn’t working.

02/15/2023

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYvcuuoqD0pGNeAtYnQENeSERcTRkEOghL7

02/10/2023

The Department of Education (Department) is interested in stakeholder input regarding the Senate Committee on Appropriation’s Explanatory Statement for the 2023 Appropriations Bill, which directs the Department regarding Elementary and Secondary Education Act School Safety National Activities fund...

09/17/2021

The 2021 State of Our Schools report found that the U.S. faces a projected annual shortfall of $85 billion in school funding each year. Closing these annual gaps is necessary to ensure that all public schools meet modern standards for health, safety, education suitability, and environmental sustainability and resiliency. Learn more: www.stateofourschools2021.org

05/18/2021

With long-term federal infrastructure investment, schools can deliver critical health and learning benefits to students while supporting the transition to a 100 percent clean energy future.

05/17/2021

A veteran advocate for improving school buildings sees the fight for funding as a generational battle with enormous stakes for communities.

05/05/2021

Mary Filardo, Founder of [Re]Build America's School Infrastructure Coalition & Executive Director of 21st Century School Fund testified for PK12 public infrastructure at the House Committee on Education and Labor. Read her oral and written testimony. www.buildusschools.org/s/M-Filardo_Oral-Written-Testimony-April-28-2021-Ed-Labor-Hearing.pdf

Watch the recording of the Hearing, “Building Back Better: Investing in Improving Schools, Creating Jobs, and Strengthening Families and our Economy (Mary starts at 45:11 mark) https://edlabor.house.gov/hearings/building-back-better-investing-in-improving-schools-creating-jobs-and-strengthening-families-and-our-economy

House Committee on Education & Labor

03/25/2021

President Biden's News Conference on 3-25-2021. Snippet on nation's infrastructure and school buildings.