Tuscarora Nation School, and St. Regis Mohawk School are each asking for $20 million dollars in order to renovate their buildings.
The schools are owned by New York State, but operated by nearby districts and altogether 650 Native American students attend them.
The state is responsible for the upkeep of the schools, but school officials say the state isn’t doing enough.
In one school, pipes fell out of the basement ceiling causing issues and were replaced by the state. The superintendent felt frustrated it took a bad thing happening in order for it to get the attention it needed, instead of paying to fix it and prevent it.
On top of that, schools experience leaking windows, occasional flooded classrooms, and have roofing that is one hundred years old.
Fire alarm, electrical and plumbing systems are failing.
While the state is required to pay for the buildings and their upkeep, superintendents say they’ve needed to spend money out of their operating budgets.
Operating budgets are designated to cover supplies and teachers salaries.
The superintendents are calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to do better and help more than Governor Cuomo did.
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