CONCLUSION
Although this survey covered a relatively small number of school users and sampling of schools, there is no reason to believe that it does not illustrate problems existing broadly across New York City’s public schools. Our City’s school buildings, once inspirational “Cathedrals of Learning”, are in a state of disrepair and that neglect threatens learning and health. Building maintenance, renovation, construction, and code enforcement, if done at all, has for the most part, looking at the results of this survey, been done badly.
There are simple solutions to many of these problems, some of which cost little or no money to implement. The following are this report’s recommendations to address these problems. City, state and federal laws that currently exist need to be properly enforced. In almost all the problem areas cited in this report are laws (documented in the footnotes) prohibiting the circumstances documented in these surveys. There are currently laws on the books that require regular inspections of schools to determine that safety standards are being met. 72 Certainly in some of the schools that were part of this survey, such inspections, if occurring, are suspect or deeply flawed if they have not documented and then corrected the conditions discussed in the surveys received. Regular and thorough inspections of schools, with proper follow-up to determine implementation if there were environmental or health problems, is necessary.
The New York State Commissioner of Education who has long sought the ability to regulate school conditions throughout the state should be given that authority in New York City.
New York State’s Minor Maintenance and Repair program for school facilities must be continued and tied to environmental health and safety results. Building occupants can and should play a role in determining the health of their school and protecting the health of the children. To accomplish this, the New York City Board of Education must be held to the same timetables and standards that all other school districts in the state must follow in the state’s new comprehensive school safety program.
While federal, state, and municipal leaders are calling for and installing 21st century computer technology at schools, the same officials should ensure that 20th century sanitary requirements are met. School cafeterias should be clean, garbage around the school should not accumulate and toilet paper and soap should be available in bathrooms. Fire safety precautions must be taken seriously, with regular fire drills and emergency evacuation plans created and ready to implement by the principal and other school employees.
With so many of New York City’s public schools suffering from decades of neglect, school construction and renovation is a major issue. “A poorly implemented renovation project can create fire hazards, excessive dust, noxious gases from cleaners, fumes from welding activity, and sometimes exposure to hazardous substances such as lead or asbestos.” 73 If one looks at the Board of Education’s capital plan, there are many more renovations than new constructions. To serve our children properly more schools will need to be built, and many more properly renovated. Direct federal funding for school construction with new funds linked to improving environmental conditions is needed.
The City can capitalize and expand on already existing resources. The New York City Board of Education has established an excellent non-toxic pest management program that is available to all schools. It should be more strongly staffed and supported. The US EPA has developed and offers free to schools a “Tools for Schools” kit to investigate and fix indoor air problems. Head Custodians, who are already being paid directly by the Board of Education to keep schools, bathrooms, and kitchens clean and functional, need better supervision or more assistance to assure cleanliness in these areas. School maintenance budgets should become “transparent” to ensure accountability and that each school can meet fundamental public health and safety standards.
Environmentally sound “green” schools are obviously the standard of the future. They maximize natural lighting and ventilation, promote energy and resource efficiency, encourage the selection of environmentally benign and non-toxic building materials, and reinforce recycling practices and the use of recycled materials. Federal agencies such as the US EPA and the US Department of Education have major voluntary programs focusing on educational buildings, as does the US Department of Energy. The strategy of sustainable design, planning and development pertains to meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. These reforms are also the topic of several ‘healthy school environments’ bills that are currently in the State Legislature; several have passed the Assembly; most have Senate matches. Swift passage and the Governor’s signature are required to have building standards meet 21st century environmental health standards.
“Green”, “sustainable” and “healthy” schools are synonymous in educational facilities as they strive to create a better environment for children, and school personnel. As we all know, actions speak louder than words. To demonstrate a serious commitment to our children, we need to say that their environmental health is a priority, and then really make it one.
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