Obama to tout school modernization

One day after presenting Congress with the American Jobs Act, President Barack Obama heads for Ohio to talk about rebuilding and updating U.S. schools. Obama will visit the Fort Hayes Arts and Academic High School in Columbus, where he will talk about his proposal to spend $25 billion to modernize at least 35,000 public schools, the White House said. "This investment will create jobs, while improving classrooms and upgrading our schools to meet 21st century needs," the White House said in a prepared statement. "It also includes a priority for rural schools and dedicated funding for Bureau of Indian Education-funded schools." Funds from the proposal could be used for "emergency repair and renovation projects, greening and energy efficiency upgrades, asbestos abatement and removal, and modernization efforts to build new science and computer labs and to upgrade the technology infrastructure in our schools," the statement said. The president's proposal includes $5 billion for modernizing community colleges. Obama urged Congress Monday to pass his jobs plan and avoid politics because "the American people don't have the luxury of waiting" until Election Day. Speaking at the White House Rose Garden Monday before sending his $447 billion jobs bill to Congress, he called for its immediate passage. "This is the bill that Congress needs to pass. No games, no politics, no delays," Obama said.