Interior: $1.2 billion needed for fixing, replacing Indian schools
Story-Date: 11:53 a.m. PST Wednesday, April 14, 1999

Interior: $1.2 billion needed for fixing, replacing Indian schools


By Philip Brasher
Associated Press Writer


WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Interior Department soon will propose a $1.2 billion
plan to replace or repair 170 federal Indian schools, agency officials said
Wednesday.

The plan, which was requested by Congress, will recommend replacing 60 of
the schools in the worst condition, Bureau of Indian Affairs officials told
a Senate appropriations subcommittee.

"Our schools no longer represent, in many cases, an effective learning
environment," said Kevin Gover, assistant secretary for Indian affairs.

The BIA operates 187 schools in 23 states serving 50,000 students on the
nation's poorest reservations. The backlog to repair schools now tops $800
millions, the BIA estimates.

The department's five-year plan would require nearly $250 million annually
on school buildings, four times what the BIA is spending this year.

The Clinton administration wants to spend $108 million in 2000. But $30
million of that total would go toward underwriting tribal bond issues, a
controversial idea among Republicans.

The budget request would replace as many as six schools if Congress
approved the bonding authority.

It is uncertain whether the building program will receive White House or
congressional support. The issue has limited political appeal because the
BIA's schools are concentrated in a handful of states: Arizona, New Mexico,
North Dakota, South Dakota and Washington.

Gover himself expressed frustration with the lack of attention paid to the
schools.

"I would love to have a conversation with the president about this, because
I know he wouldn't stand for it," Gover said.

Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., said the administration was more concerned
about aiding inner-city public schools, which are the responsibility of
local governments, than making sure federal facilities are adequate.

Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said Congress deserves criticism for putting
defense programs ahead of the Indian school system.


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