Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro announced that the Commonwealth Financing Authority has approved 208 investments in school projects, totaling $175 million, under the new Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program.
Launched earlier this year as part of the 2023-24 state budget, the new program provides grants of up to $5 million to public school districts and career and technical schools for critical safety and environmental repair projects. Eligible improvements included roof repairs and roof replacement; installation of HVAC equipment; installation of boilers; safety projects including lead and asbestos abatement; accessibility projects; and window repairs/replacement.
This announcement builds on $75 million recently awarded to 109 Pennsylvania schools through the Department of Education’s new Environmental Repairs Grant Program to eliminate lead, mold, asbestos, and other environmental hazards.
“Students in every ZIP code across the commonwealth deserve to learn in classrooms that are up-to-date, safe environments,” said Pennsylvania Education Secretary Dr. Khalid Mumin. “Repairing and replacing old equipment and facilities helps to ensure that we can keep our kids learning in spaces that are safe, healthy, and productive for them.”
Newly awarded projects include the following:
- $5 million to the Pittsburgh Area School District to install HVAC digital control systems at its 11 school facilities, replacing existing controls that are over 30 years old. The project will provide more effective control of indoor pollutants and control exhaust airflow.
- $2.5 million to the Antietam School District for an emergency construction project at the Stony Creek K-3 Center stemming from the catastrophic flooding the district experienced in July 2023. Funding will be used to build a new K-3 addition to a building that wasn’t flood-damaged. Notably, the district also recently received nearly $7.9 million through the Environmental Repairs Grant program for repairs and construction at the site of the former Antietam Middle-Senior High School. Students are currently attending school in modular units and local churches.
- $1 million to the Northwestern School District for roof replacement at Northwestern Middle School. The project will address a critical need to replace the building’s aging roof and ensure a warm, dry learning environment and improve indoor air quality.
- $1 million to the Valley View School District for roof and window replacement projects at its high school/middle school. The new roof and 80 new windows will increase the overall energy efficiency and security of the building.
- $5 million to the School District of Philadelphia for several projects at the Overbrook High School auditorium including roof replacement, complete asbestos and lead paint abatement, installation of fire-retardant seats, repairs to water-damaged and moldy ceilings and walls, installation of new lighting fixtures, and a new HVAC unit.
- $2.3 million to the York County School of Technology for replacement of 78 rooftop HVAC units and its original boiler unit. The upgrades will improve efficiency, temperature control, and indoor air quality.
A full list of awards is available here.