The title of the article is, “Renovations Ensure Existing Classrooms Are Usable, Boost Academic Achievement,” and can be found on the Wake County Schools web site.
My policy report on the Wake County Schools building program refutes their unsubstantiated claim that the right kinds of school buildings (fancy) can increase student performance. The new article released by the school district makes three claims.
1. Most of the renovations will correct air quality issues.
This is a stretch. The $1 billion spending plan would fund a number of landscaping, paving, painting, fencing, and flooring projects that do not improve air quality. Some renovations, like the Enloe High School weight room, will only improve air quality for a select number of students.
2. Improving air quality can boost academic achievement.
As I point out in my report, there is evidence that poor air quality can lower student achievement. What I find amusing is that WCPSS cites American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers research to substantiate their claim. ASHRACE (actually ASHRAE but I think my acronym is better) is hardly an objective source of information on the matter. Because I am not a member of ASHRACE, I cannot access the report.
3. Opponents of the bond object to improving air quality.
I do not think that anyone would wish children would suffer in classrooms that smell like old gyro meat. Repair or replace the HVAC systems, meet ADA regulations, and add classrooms. It is that simple. But do not expect these measures to produce skyrocketing EOG and EOC scores.
