Save a Penny, Lose a School: The Real Cost of Deferred Maintenance


Last Updated: June 01, 2003
 

Save a Penny, Lose a School: The Real Cost of Deferred Maintenance

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By Barbara Kent Lawrence

When your roof leaks, you fix it if you can afford to because you know that if you don’t the consequences will be serious. Unfortunately, many schools in rural districts have leaking roofs, but little or no money for repairs or even proper maintenance. Only a few states support routine school maintenance, and local funds for maintenance and operations are frequently allocated to other uses when money is tight—so the roof continues to leak. Being “penny wise and pound foolish,” which is already common practice, becomes especially tempting when funds are restricted. Proper maintenance is an important issue because deferring maintenance affects the health, safety, and morale of everyone who uses the facility, as well as the cost of operations. If the building requires extensive repairs, renovation, or replacement, deferred maintenance may even force the school's closure in states that have facilities policy with requirements the existing school or site can’t meet.

This policy brief describes the problem of deferred maintenance for school facilities, especially from the perspective of small rural districts. It examines the extent, causes, and consequences of deferred maintenance. The last section suggests recommendations for policy, practice, and funding that can help correct this national problem.