Use of Vacant Schools Could Provide Savings to Federal Construction Programs

Use of public school facilities, which are closing due to declining enrollments, may be a source of savings for new construction projects financed by the Federal Government. At the start of the 1978-79 school year, there were nearly 2500 vacant schools in 19 States. Well over one-third of them were in good condition and located in areas that made them suitable for continued use. GAO interviewed officials of four Federal programs that provide grant-in-aid assistance for construction to obtain information on the potential that vacated schools hold for other purposes.

State and local authorities are not required to consider using vacant schools in lieu of new construction when requesting grant funds. However, projects that include converting vacant schools may be funded under their programs as long as the projects meet the various Federal requirements. Because there may be opportunities for substantial cost savings by using more vacant schools, GAO believes that an evaluation of the feasibility of using such schools should be required before construction funds are awarded to grantees. In addition, since the opportunity spans many Federal programs, there should be a Federal policy requiring Federal agencies with grant construction programs to consider using vacant schools in lieu of new construction.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

Director: Morton E. Henig Team: General Accounting Office: Human Resources Division Phone: (202) 275-5365