Senators concerned over poor conditions at American Indian schools

WASHINGTON — Federally supervised Indian schools in Northern Minnesota, which failed testing standards and are in desperate need of building repairs, have senators concerned that they will miss out on additional funding under education reform, according to MinnPost.

According to the story, approximately one-third of Indian schools are categorized as in "poor condition," but lack the funding to make necessary repairs — and may not see funding for years, even decades.

Minnesota Senator Al Franken said: "No student in Minnesota should have to contend with mold problems or huge leaks, but that's what kids in some reservation schools deal with every day. Students can't be expected to achieve at high levels when their school building is falling apart."

Under President Barack Obama's proposed 2011 budget, $9 million would be cut from the Indian school construction line down to $52.8 million — far shy of the estimated $1.3 billion it would cost to repair every "poor condition" school, the story stated.

Franken said: "The people need to know what dismal conditions these schools are in. Only then will Indian schools become a priority in the federal budget."

There are a total of 64 federally supervised "poor condition" Indian schools in the United States, the story added.

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