Deborah A. Price, assistant deputy secretary for the U.S. Department of Education, was the guest speaker at the 2006 School Building Week Breakfast, hosted by the CEFPI Foundation & Charitable Trust. The Breakfast took place on October 17, 2006 at the Willard InterContinental in Washington, D.C.

Speaking to "Creating Safe Schools, Ms. Price's comments centered on the Breakfast's theme of the importance of safe, healthy, high performing and sustainable school facilities in fostering student achievement and community vitality.

"I am delighted to be here in support of School Building Week and the School of the Future student design competition. The competition is an excellent example of how students can apply mathematics to real-life situations. It also shows how academics and school safety can work together. Secretary (Margaret) Spellings and I believe that safe and welcoming school buildings are the foundation upon which high academic achievement is possible. Students cannot learn and teachers cannot teach in schools that are not safe, healthy and secure," Ms. Price remarked.

Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, Ms. Price and Thomas A. Kube, executive director, CEFPI, also attended the recent White House Conference on School Safety. "Our schools house one of the nation's most precious assets: our children. The design of effective schools is a key step in preventing crime and emergencies and mitigating the damage that may occur. Attractive, well-designed and well-maintained facilities also play an important role in contributing to a positive school culture and climate. Working together, I know that schools can be stronger, safer and healthier places for our nation's children," Ms. Price concluded.

Ms. Price oversees the Education Department's activities related to safe schools, crisis response, alcohol and drug prevention, the health and well being of students and building strong character and citizenship. She also leads the Education Department's Homeland Security efforts.

School Building Week, April 30-May 4, 2007, was originally created as a one-day celebration by the Council of Educational Facility Planners International to bring attention to the important role school buildings play in the educational process. The Foundation now leads this week-long nationwide effort in partnership with 36 organizations, including three federal agencies.

Proceeds from the benefit breakfast sustain the significant programs and projects under the aegis of the Foundation. The CEFPI Foundation facilitates research on the impact of healthy, high performing, safe and sustainable school facilities on student achievement and community vitality. The Foundation also funds and supports School Building Week, the Dale Scheideman Merit Scholarship Program and the Paragon Schoolhouse Project.

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