Bridging the $90 Billion School Infrastructure Gap
What the 2025 State of Our Schools Report Reveals and What Comes Next
America’s school facilities are facing a staggering $90 billion annual investment gap, according to the 2025 State of Our Schools report. The impact of this chronic underinvestment isn’t just structural. It’s felt in health, learning and workforce stability across the public education system. This webcast will start with a closer look at the report: what the data says, what it means and where the needs are most urgent. Then, Panel one will examine how healthy school design and building upgrades, paired with today’s technologies, can improve indoor environmental quality and health resilience at scale. Panel two focuses on advocacy, policy and student outcomes, exploring how to drive greater investment, align stakeholders and build the momentum to deliver healthier schools for every community.
Moderated by: Jason Hartke, Ph.D., EVP of Global Advocacy, International WELL Building Institute
Opening:
- Mary Filardo, Executive Director of 21st Century School Fund and lead author of the 2025 State of Our Schools report
Session 1: The Infrastructure of Health: Opportunities to Reshape Our Schools Now
- Dr. Whitney Austin Gray, SVP of Research, International WELL Building Institute
- Serene Almomen, CEO, Attune
- Pam Loeffelman, FAIA, DLR Group
Session 2: From Evidence to Investment: Policy Pathways for Healthy Schools
- Mary Filardo, Executive Director, 21st Century School Fund
- Kenneth Mendez, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
- Tyler Smith, VP of Healthy Buildings, Johnson Controls
- John Reeder, Executive Director, Healthy Schools Network
