Arguing that the quality of buildings affects the health and performance of students, a team of advocacy groups says the United States should be spending $46 billion a year more than it currently does to build, maintain and operate schools.

A report by the U.S. Green Building Council, the National Council on School Facilities and the 21st Century School Fund says spending for maintenance and operation falls $8 billion short of annual need while spending on capital construction is underfunded by $38 billion a year.

Georgia compares relatively well, spending 103 percent of what the group estimates was required on new construction and 99 percent of the need to maintain and run those school buildings.

But with enrollment in Georgia projected to grow 9.1 percent between 2012 and 2024, the state should plan to spend nearly $300 million more a year, the group says.

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These kits are being distributed to public schools across Georgia to help students who suffer an opioid overdose. (Courtesy of Georgia Department of Education)

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Former Fulton County election worker Ruby Freeman talks to her daughter, Wandrea ArShaye "Shaye" Moss, a former Georgia election worker, after she testified before the U.S. House Select Committee at its fourth hearing on its Jan. 6 investigation on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. (Yuri Gripas/Abaca Press/TNS)

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