Remarks from Raleigh Broughton QZAB's Press Conference

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Etheridge Statement on Federal School Renovation Funds for Broughton High School
Remarks from QZAB's Press Conference at
Raleigh's Broughton Senior High School
March 20, 2001

"I want to thank your Principal Diane Payne, the faculty, the staff, our distinguished guests and most importantly the students for being here today for this important announcement. I don't think it will come as a surprise to anyone in this room that I have a special place in my heart for our children and our public schools. So I'm especially proud to be with you today to make an announcement that is going to mean so much to Broughton, this community and the students, faculty, and staff of this historic school.

"I am happy today to announce that Broughton High School has received approval to access $3 million in capital for school construction and modernization projects and to repay these funds over 25 years with no interest. Today's announcement amounts to as much as a $1.5 million federal grant for current and future school renovation needs at Broughton. This $1.5 million in interest savings will allow Broughton to pursue long needed renovation and modernization projects on an expedited schedule. These funds, combined with the funds Broughton will receive from last year's bond referendum, will go towards improving the learning environment for teachers and students alike by renovating and modernizing classrooms, the auditorium, the gym and athletic facilities and updating the school's heating and air conditioning system. These funds are an important boost to a school that seeks to excel in the 21st Century but was built early in the 20th Century. Built in 1929, Broughton High School, like any institution more than 70 years old, is in need of the type of renovations that will promote student and staff safety and comfort and improve the environment for teaching and learning.

"Today's announcement is part of a modest federal initiative that provides funds on a limited basis to schools that meet very specific criteria for construction and modernization projects. To qualify for funds from this initiative a school must be located in a federal empowerment zone, an enterprise community or 35 percent or more of its students must qualify for free or reduced price lunch. The initiative, passed in 1997 with my enthusiastic support, is known as the Qualified Zone Academy Bonds or QZAB's. The QZAB initiative provides roughly $400 million a year to support school construction projects by defraying future interest costs on the money borrowed for approved projects. Folks, $400 million might sound like a lot of money, but it doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of the more than $300 billion in needs we have in this country to build and modernize public schools.

"And, while this announcement is great news for Broughton High School, Congress must do more to help state and local communities address the national school construction crisis that we face in this country today. Last week I was joined by a bipartisan group of lawmakers in Washington in introducing the "America's Better Classrooms Act." This legislation would provide $25 billion nationally, $488 million of which is earmarked for North Carolina, to build and modernize overcrowded and run down public schools. I have asked President Bush to support this initiative because there are many more Broughton High School's that need a helping hand to build the facilities that our children and teachers need to succeed. In too many cases, we stuff children into spaces and facilities that we wouldn't house prisoners in. Folks, there is no excuse for prisons being nicer than schools. Our children's safety and security depends on our taking responsibility and providing them decent, modern facilities. Congress must pass a school construction bill this year consistent with our national priorities and North Carolina values.

"Thank you again Ms. Payne for all the work you do on behalf of our children and thank you for hosting this important announcement and the tour to follow."