Budget cuts deprive Arizona districts of repair funds

From The Arizona Republic: For the fourth year in a row, the Arizona Legislature has siphoned almost every penny from the state's school-repairs fund to help plug the budget deficit. Under the state's Students FIRST law, school districts should get $242 million for building repairs and renovations in the new fiscal year, which begins July 1. They'll get barely more than 1 percent of that -- $2.66 million -- and only for emergencies.

IMPACT ON LEARNING: Studies over the past two decades have consistently found that students score higher on standardized tests and feel more motivated when their classrooms are clean, comfortable and well-equipped.