Quantico, Va. — A plan to replace Quantico Middle / High School is in place, now it’s up to congress to provide the money.
In addition to Quantico Middle / High School, over the course of the next five years, the Department of Defense has plans to consolidate Russell Elementary School, Ashurst Elementary School and Burrows Elementary School at Quantico into one new elementary school facility.
All of the projects are dependent on additional congressional funding, as more than $400 million has already been allocated this year by congress to begin improving or replacing DOD schools.
In a report to congress in 2008, Department of Defense officials found 69 percent of schools located on military bases and installations (134 schools) to be safe but poor or failing condition
“A ‘poor’ indicator means routine and normal scheduled maintenance is insufficient to sustain the major infrastructure building components and a major investment is required to address facility deficiencies in order to bring the existing facility up to a DOD acceptable condition rating. A ‘failing’ indicator means that it is more cost effective to replace the facility than to continue investing in repair and maintenance,” according to information provided by Department of Defense Education spokeswoman Elaine Kanellis.
The school replacement plans come as a letter signed by Virginia Senator Mark Warner, and 11 other senators, was sent to Department of Defense Secretary Leon Panetta urging for more money to repair or replace schools for military children.
According to the letter, more than 86,000 children attend schools on military campuses, many of which are in need of repair.
