Congress Must Keep the Momentum on Healthy Schools

With environmental risks rising and school infrastructure lagging, now is the time to support proven federal strategies

When I step foot in an elementary school, one word comes to mind: priceless. The artwork – priceless. The smiles – priceless. The teacher-student relationships and the everyday problem-solving – absolutely priceless. Each one propels a child to grow into a healthy, whole individual.

Yet providing a child with that healthy, quality education is not without its very real, tangible costs. School systems and communities today face a multitude of competing funding priorities, many of which extend far beyond traditional classroom needs.

One of those critical priorities is creating healthy learning environments—physically safe, energy-efficient, resilient campuses. But increasingly frequent extreme weather events are compromising classrooms, learning, and student health—an issue I’ve written about before. Most schools simply can’t invest enough to meet the demands of today’s more volatile weather. In fact, national school infrastructure received a D+ from the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Right now, Congress has an opportunity to protect funding that helps school districts upgrade their energy systems—systems that keep students healthy and safe while also contributing to our broader energy transition. These funds are available through bipartisan energy tax credits. As we weigh the costs—and the priceless benefits to students—I hope schools will continue to receive the support they need from Washington to create optimal environments for learning and growth.

It’s Time for a Major Renovation

Children spend most of their waking hours during the week inside school buildings. That makes these spaces not just centers of learning, but also central to their health and development. Focused investments in school infrastructure can make a profound difference in the air our children breathe. The Environmental Protection Agency has called indoor air pollution one of the top five environmental risks to public health. Improved ventilation has is linked to higher student achievement in math and reading, as well as stronger respiratory health. Comfortable classroom temperatures also support better focus and cognitive performance.

And yet we’re behind. A 2020 Government Accountability Office report found that 41% of school districts need to update or replace HVAC systems in at least half of their schools—about 36,000 schools nationwide. Many existing systems are outdated, inefficient, incapable of advanced filtration, and often lack cooling entirely. Students riding conventional school buses face similar risks from heat and poor air quality, especially when air conditioning is unavailable. These exposures can be mitigated with newer technologies that also reduce long-term costs for school systems.

Action—and Support—Already Underway

Fortunately, some districts are taking the lead in creating healthier, safer environments for students:

· Heat pumps replacing legacy HVACs: These systems, which move existing heat rather than burn fuel to generate it, are more efficient and cleaner. In Minnesota, one school saw a drop in student headaches and anxiety after installation, as the new systems helped maintain a comfortable, stable climate in the classrooms.

· Solar and battery storage: These technologies increase schools’ energy resilience during extreme weather or grid disruptions. In one Massachusetts town, a battery installed between two high schools now reduces peak grid demand and can power the schools during outages. It took a community-wide effort, but the expected rewards include cost savings, lower emissions, and greater reliability.

· Transitioning to electric buses: The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is adopting 180 fully electric buses—complete with air conditioning and zero tailpipe emissions. These buses will help reduce asthma triggers and protect children’s developing lungs while also saving an estimated $10,000 per bus in annual fuel and maintenance costs.

· Proactive energy planning: Some districts, including those in my home state of Tennessee, are incorporating infrastructure assessments into their planning processes. A regular statewide report tracks facility needs, providing data to guide investments in modernization and oversight.

Incentives That Make Sense

Just like the hand-drawn art taped to a classroom wall, the benefits of healthy schools are priceless. And the financial incentives now available can make these investments feasible—even for budget-stretched districts.

For instance, LAUSD’s electric bus initiative was supported by $20 million in funding from the EPA. More broadly, energy tax credits can offset up to 50% of the cost of installing modern HVAC systems and other clean energy technologies. Across the country, school leaders are blending local dollars with federal reimbursements to upgrade their facilities, lower costs, and create safer environments for children.

Organizations like UndauntedK12 are stepping in to help districts access these funds and navigate the technical and bureaucratic hurdles—because while the benefits are clear, the process can be complex.

The Window to Act Is Now

There is a narrow window of opportunity to preserve and expand this support. As Congress deliberates over the next budget reconciliation package, it’s crucial to remember that energy tax credits—for solar, battery storage, ground source heat pumps, and more—represent a smart, homegrown strategy for improving public infrastructure, including our schools.

As a physician, and as a grandfather to nine school-age grandchildren, I believe we have a moral responsibility to act. Our children deserve schools that support their health and help them achieve their full potential—academically, physically, and emotionally.

It will take investment, yes. But the outcomes—for our kids, our communities, and our future—are nothing short of priceless.

Read my prior article on schools and environmental health here: “From Playgrounds to Classrooms: How the Environment Is Impacting Our Children’s Future”

The author currently serves as chair of the Global Board of the Nature Conservancy, the largest conservation organization in the world, and founder and chair of SCORE, the Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education.