Temperature control in our elementary schools

[warriorpride]

momto4 said:

I just noticed the Naperville Sun blog is open for discussing A/C in our elementary schools (just below this one is the question of closing schools for election days).


Should elementary schools in Indian Prairie School District 204 have air conditioning, and why weren't they built that way in the first place?


See blogs.suburbanchicagonews.com/newsblog/2007/08/ac_debate_heats_up_in_204.html#more

While holding things to a higher standard is always a nice goal, I'd be real interested in whether or not ES's in other local SD's have AC. And, specifically, other ES's that were built in the same timeframe as the 2oe ES's.

[momto4]

warriorpride said:

While holding things to a higher standard is always a nice goal, I'd be real interested in whether or not ES's in other local SD's have AC. And, specifically, other ES's that were built in the same timeframe as the 2oe ES's.

I really don't care who else has what or when they got it. What I'm hearing is that children in our district are sitting in classrooms with incredibly high temperatures and are getting very little relief from the open windows, fans, water bottles, etc. I think the time has come to rectify this situation for the children and teachers of our district.

[southsidemom]

wvhsparent said:

FWIW to driven..... I was not trying to be sarcastic at all. We all donate things to our schools for the betterment of our chldren....why is this so different? I would not expect the SD to get an AC unit for one classroom only. I only offered it as a suggestion. Sorry if I offended you.

Actually at our school there are 2 classrooms with AC to accomodate students that require it. Now why should the administrative office at our school have air, yet the teachers do not have the same conditions to work? Please enlighten me to this logic.

[gatormom]

southsidemom said:

wvhsparent said:

FWIW to driven..... I was not trying to be sarcastic at all. We all donate things to our schools for the betterment of our chldren....why is this so different? I would not expect the SD to get an AC unit for one classroom only. I only offered it as a suggestion. Sorry if I offended you.

Actually at our school there are 2 classrooms with AC to accomodate students that require it. Now why should the administrative office at our school have air, yet the teachers do not have the same conditions to work? Please enlighten me to this logic.

The office staff works all summer.

[southsidemom]

It's unfair to expect our elementary teachers to work in conditions of any less quality than what is expected of middle or high school teachers.

When the SB in all their infinite wisdom decided how much referendum money would be acceptable to ask for, did they ever ask the community like how they surveyed parents to see if they should get rid of 8th grade graduation?

Instead of rushing to build another air conditioned high school, why don't we use the "rush money" to retro-fit elementary schools with air. What about using the interest that we are supposed to be earning on the money that we already approved to let all children and all staff learn and work in comfort?

[southsidemom]

gatormom said:

southsidemom said:

Actually at our school there are 2 classrooms with AC to accomodate students that require it. Now why should the administrative office at our school have air, yet the teachers do not have the same conditions to work? Please enlighten me to this logic.

The office staff works all summer.

Gotta do better than that one for me. But thanks for your insight.

[bob]

SSM, did you have air conditioning when you went to grade school?

[warriorpride]

southsidemom said:

It's unfair to expect our elementary teachers to work in conditions of any less quality than what is expected of middle or high school teachers.

When the SB in all their infinite wisdom decided how much referendum money would be acceptable to ask for, did they ever ask the community like how they surveyed parents to see if they should get rid of 8th grade graduation?

Instead of rushing to build another air conditioned high school, why don't we use the "rush money" to retro-fit elementary schools with air. What about using the interest that we are supposed to be earning on the money that we already approved to let all children and all staff learn and work in comfort?

Why are you beefing about decisions made a number of years ago by an SB that is very different today? What do you hope to achieve?

[doctorwho]

southsidemom said:

gatormom said:

The office staff works all summer.

Gotta do better than that one for me. But thanks for your insight.

why have to do better -- the staff uses the air 3 more months than the weeks that the students would use it ? For so many people worried about saving money at every turn, when there is a savings ( not cooling the entire school all summer) - it is still wrong.

[doctorwho]

bob said:

SSM, did you have air conditioning when you went to grade school?

The 1st air conditioned classroom I saw was in college, yet amazingly managed to get educated.

[doctorwho]

southsidemom said:

It's unfair to expect our elementary teachers to work in conditions of any less quality than what is expected of middle or high school teachers.

When the SB in all their infinite wisdom decided how much referendum money would be acceptable to ask for, did they ever ask the community like how they surveyed parents to see if they should get rid of 8th grade graduation?

Instead of rushing to build another air conditioned high school, why don't we use the "rush money" to retro-fit elementary schools with air. What about using the interest that we are supposed to be earning on the money that we already approved to let all children and all staff learn and work in comfort?

maybe because that school decision is due in a few weeks ?

[macy]

I can see both sides of this issue at this point. Yes, we are only talking about a number of weeks in the Spring and Fall seasons but, it is dreadfully hot in these schools and I've been witness to kids going home sick, hearing teacher after teacher complain about the heat (especially those on the second floor).

I work with someone who is a teacher in the Chicago Public School district. She was completely astounded to hear our district did not have air conditioning in our schools. In her opinion, it might have an impact on recruiting teachers to the district as she stated she'd make that a part of her decision as to what district to apply/accept a position in. That is something I'd never thought of before she mentioned it.

Yes, if it costs 19 million to retrofit the schools and put the air in, it's a ton of money... I can see that argument as well but would be interested to see how many elementary schools in illinois have air and how many don't. We moved here from another northern suburb which had air at all levels of school. I was surprised we did not have it in 204 at the time of our relocation.

Just a thought... In my opinion, it's worth the debate.

[doctorwho]

macy said:

I can see both sides of this issue at this point. Yes, we are only talking about a number of weeks in the Spring and Fall seasons but, it is dreadfully hot in these schools and I've been witness to kids going home sick, hearing teacher after teacher complain about the heat (especially those on the second floor).

I work with someone who is a teacher in the Chicago Public School district. She was completely astounded to hear our district did not have air conditioning in our schools. In her opinion, it might have an impact on recruiting teachers to the district as she stated she'd make that a part of her decision as to what district to apply/accept a position in. That is something I'd never thought of before she mentioned it.

Yes, if it costs 19 million to retrofit the schools and put the air in, it's a ton of money... I can see that argument as well but would be interested to see how many elementary schools in illinois have air and how many don't. We moved here from another northern suburb which had air at all levels of school. I was surprised we did not have it in 204 at the time of our relocation.

Just a thought... In my opinion, it's worth the debate.

I also agree it's worth looking into - but my guess is the cost is going to cause quite the controversy. As far as recruiting - while I agree it might make some individual think about it, aren't we seeing an overwhelming amount of applications for each opening ? That was my understanding.
I know someone who will be graduating soon who would take an opening here in a heartbeat, air or no air....

[EagleDad]

southsidemom said:

It's unfair to expect our elementary teachers to work in conditions of any less quality than what is expected of middle or high school teachers.

Uh, did I miss the constitutional amendment to the US consititution somehow entitling by manifest destiny the god-given right of elementary school teachers to teach in air conditioning, one nation, under 72?

Point is, there no "unfairness". It's a free market. If teaching a few days a year in A/C is an important deciding factor of a teacher when seeking employment then they should weigh that when deciding where to work and when taking the job, not after.

Yes its uncomfortanble now for a couple of days, but it will all blow over (literally, with the weather) in a few weeks.

Expecting the SD to rush oout and abandon all plans for Metea in immediate favor of rushing in air conditioning... now that is REALLY short sighted.

[EagleDad]

Well, tomorrow will be 76 and the ten day has highs in the upper 70's/lower 80's.

I think we will avoid our children melting this year.