Bill provides modernization funds for WCSD

Congressman Travis Childers joined a majority of his colleagues May 14 in voting for legislation to improve Mississippi's public schools, create jobs and lower costs for taxpayers.

The 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act (H.R. 2187), which passed in the House by a vote of 275-155, will invest in schools in order to boost Mississippi's economy now and help prepare children for success in the future, according to a release issued by Childers.

"Right now, Mississippi's schools are millions of dollars short of the funding needed for modernization and repair," said Childers, D-Booneville. "Today's legislation provides the 1st Congressional District with the resources necessary to bring our school buildings up to code. Upgrading schools will boost student achievement by fostering a healthy learning environment and will create much-needed local jobs. I hope the Senate takes this up expeditiously and I urge its swift passage."

The 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act provides more than $6 billion in federal funds to upgrade school buildings to make them more energy efficient and more reliant on renewable sources of energy. Mississippi's 1st Congressional District will receive an estimated $15.7 million in funding, and the state will receive an estimated $83 million. The bill also generates long-term savings for schools by reducing energy expenses.

"Schools spend more on energy than any other expense except personnel," said Childers. "This bill gives North Mississippi the opportunity to build more efficient schools that will reduce operating costs by up to 30 percent and save taxpayers dollars."

H.R. 2187 provides estimated funding of $222,000 for the Webster County School District.

According to calculations by the Economic Policy Institute, the legislation's construction funding would support as many as 136,000 new jobs - many in areas that will give workers skills they need to excel in a clean energy economy, according to Childers.