Tennessee K-12 school building costs escalate amid competing political priorities for education
The average cost of building a new school in Tennessee was $51 million in 2022, compared with $15 million in 2012, according to state data. One factor is the rising cost of construction and materials. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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Chalkbeat Tennessee
Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.
Tennessee needs to spend about $9.8 billion on repairs, upgrades, or construction to keep its K-12 public school buildings safe and conducive to learning, according to a new state report.
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MSCS Memphis Shelby County Schools Mark White House education committee Education Freedom Act School vouchersIn partnership with
Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.
Marta W. Aldrich
Marta W. Aldrich is the senior statehouse correspondent at Chalkbeat Tennessee. A newswoman for The Associated Press for most of her career, Marta has covered state government, politics, business, education and other Tennessee news. She has served as news editor of United Methodist News Service and features editor of American Profile magazine. Marta is a graduate of Memphis City Schools and the University of Missouri School of Journalism.
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