Any economic recovery package Congress passes should include money for school construction. That is the message Congressman Bob Etheridge delivered in a press conference earlier in the week at Ligon Middle School in Raleigh surrounded by leaders from Wake County Schools.
Etheridge introduced the America’s Better Classrooms Act to create jobs while creating schools. According to Wake school system officials, the bill provides $25 billion for school construction. North Carolina would get $48 million that could create 10,752 jobs.
In a release, Etheridge says, "I sent a letter to President-elect Obama asking that he include my school construction proposal in his economic recovery and jobs creation plan".
Wake County School Board Chair Rosa Gill, board member Anne McLaurin, Superintendent Del Burns, Ligon Principal Scott Lyons and Ben Matthews of the NC Department of Public Instruction were on hand for the announcement.
Education leaders say there are projects that are ready to begin in the next three to six months that federal money could help move along.
Gill said, "We’re working to provide capacity for those students who are already here and those who are still coming. These funds will help as we make sure we have a seat for all of our children."