U.S. SCHOOLS . . . LESSONS IN DISREPAIR

The U.S.'s crumbling public schools need $112 billion to bring them up to shape, a report by the General Accounting Office says. About one-third of the 80,000 public schools need extensive repairs or replacement of one or more buildings, according to the study. State and local officials have not been able to keep up with regular maintenance and, as a result, public concern is growing that "some school buildings may be unsafe or even harmful to children's health." As an example, schools need $11 billion just for lead abatement that complies with federal standards. Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun (D-Ill.) requested the GAO study and sponsored legislation authorizing $100 million for school repairs in the 1996 fiscal year.