Ten schools in Central Pennsylvania receive funds for environmental repairs

PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — Governor Josh Shapiro has announced that funding will be going to 109 schools across the Commonwealth including ten in our area.

Schools in Blair, Cambria, Centre, Clearfield and Somerset County will be receiving funds to create safer facilities for students and educators through the elimination of lead, mold, asbestos and other environmental hazards.

Here are the schools in our area that are receiving funding:

Blair County

• Altoona School District ($453,192)
• Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center ($26,679)

Cambria County

• Admiral Perry AVTS ($147,527)
• Central Cambria School District ($894,732)
• Greater Johnstown CTC ($266,589)
• Penn Cambria School District ($39,157)

Centre County

• Penns Valley School District ($275,272)
• State College Area School District ($105,906)

Clearfield County

• West Branch School District ($1,712,345)

Somerset County

• Meyersdale ASD ($3,916)

The Pennsylvania school districts, career and technical education centers (CTCs), and charter schools that will receive grants can use the funding to improve water infrastructure and eliminate contamination; install point-of-use treatment devices to reduce lead and other contaminants; remediate mold or asbestos contamination; and for other projects that remediate environmental hazards in school buildings.

“I will always fight to ensure that our students have the resources they need to succeed, and that includes making sure our school buildings are safe, secure and free of environmental hazards like mold or asbestos,” Rep. Frank Burns said. “That’s why I’ve worked to help secure budget funding for school upgrades and improvements. With this new funding, our schools can move forward to remedy any potentially dangerous or unhealthy conditions so that our students are free to focus on what’s important – learning, thriving and charting their best futures.”

The $75 million in funding is part of the PDE’s Environmental Repairs Grants program, which was secured in the 2023-24 budget. Additionally, the 2023-24 budget makes $100 million available for school facility improvements through the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

“Dedicated teachers and school staff are the No. 1 reason our students thrive, but they also depend on a safe, hazard-free learning environment,” Conklin said. “That’s why I worked to secure budget funding that addresses all our district’s educational needs – from staffing and curriculum to building improvements that ensure safe and healthy classrooms. With this new funding, State College Area School District will have the resources needed to identify and eliminate any building hazards so students and staff can stay safe and focus on the business of learning.”

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For a full list of the 109 Environmental Repairs Grant recipients, visit PDE’s website .

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