[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 145 (Friday, September 12, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S8477]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 COON RAPIDS-BAYARD COMMUNITY EDUCATION

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United 
States, a new school year has begun. As you know, Iowa public schools 
have an excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores 
are among the highest in the Nation.
  I would like to take just a few minutes, today, to salute the 
dedicated teachers, administrators, and school board members in the 
Coon Rapids-Bayard Community School District, and to report on their 
participation in a unique Federal partnership to repair and modernize 
school facilities.
  This fall marks the 10th year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction 
Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among 
educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin grants for Iowa public 
schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121 
million for the State government in Iowa, which selects worthy school 
districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair 
efforts--everything from updating fire-safety systems to building new 
schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases, this Federal 
funding is used to leverage public and/or private local funding, so it 
often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local school district.
  The Coon Rapids-Bayard Community School District received a 2002 
Harkin Grant totaling $142,000 which it used to help build an addition 
to the middle/high school building and make improvements to Deal 
Elementary. The district also received two fire safety grants totaling 
$75,000 to install fire detection systems, upgrade electrical wiring 
and make other repairs throughout the district. The Federal grants have 
made it possible for the district to provide quality and safe schools 
for their students.
  Excellent schools do not just pop up like mushrooms after a rain. 
They are the product of vision, leadership, persistence, and a 
tremendous amount of collaboration among local officials and concerned 
citizens. I salute the entire staff, administration, and governance in 
the Coon Rapids-Bayard Community School District. In particular, I 
would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--Alan 
Schroeder, Mike Oswald, Jim Schwaller, Roger Tapps, Larry Nees, Pat 
McAlister, and Nancy Hagan and former board members Mark Thomas, Brian 
Kinnick and Dr. John Clayburg. I would also like to recognize 
superintendent Rich Stoffers, former superintendent Dennis Wentz, 
business manager Gail Hopkins and high school principal Shawn Zanders.
  As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin school grant program in 
Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of school buildings 
and facilities across the United States are in dire need of renovation 
or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according to a recent study, 
some 79 percent of public schools need to be upgraded or repaired. The 
harsh reality is that the average age of school buildings in the United 
States is nearly 50 years.
  Too often, our children visit ultramodern shopping malls and gleaming 
sports arenas on weekends, but during the week go to school in rundown 
or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message to our 
young people about our priorities. We have got to do better.
  That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in 
the Coon Rapids-Bayard Community School District. There is no question 
that a quality public education for every child is a top priority in 
that community. I salute them, and wish them a very successful new 
school year.

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