Post by wvhsparent on Nov 29, 2007 7:11:54 GMT -6
Dist. 204 cools its air conitioning survey, for now
By Melissa Jenco | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 11/29/2007 12:19 AM
Indian Prairie Unit District 204 has put a temporary chill on its community survey about installing air conditioning in its elementary schools.
Superintendent Stephen Daeschner said Wednesday that there wouldn't be enough time to study the results before the deadline to get a referendum on the Feb. 5 ballot. As a result, the district will postpone the survey.
"We will resume work on the survey possibly in the spring, which will provide a more appropriate timeframe to review the results and consider a ballot initiative if there is community support," he said in a statement.
Currently only two of the district's 21 elementary schools -- Owen and Peterson -- have air conditioning.
At other elementary schools in the district -- which covers portions of Naperville, Aurora, Plainfield and Bolingbrook -- classroom temperatures in the early part of the school year sometimes ranged from the 80s to 90s.
After hearing numerous concerns from parents about the effects of the heat on children's health and learning environment, the district studied possible solutions ranging from making changes to the school calendar to installing air conditioning systems.
Jay Strang, director of buildings and grounds, found two viable systems that cost $35.3 million and $45.6 million respectively.
Paying for either would require a tax increase via referendum so the board authorized staff members to perform a random telephone survey of 400 to 500 voters.
District officials originally considered conducting the survey this month, but the process is projected to take about six weeks and the board only has until Dec. 3 to get a referendum on the Feb. 5 ballot.
School board President Mark Metzger said he doesn't seen any benefit to voters to rush the issue, especially since installing air conditioning units in all schools likely would take several years to complete.
"We weren't going to have a solution for this summer anyway," he said. "No matter what, we're looking at dealing with the heat in alternate ways for the coming spring and fall."
By Melissa Jenco | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 11/29/2007 12:19 AM
Indian Prairie Unit District 204 has put a temporary chill on its community survey about installing air conditioning in its elementary schools.
Superintendent Stephen Daeschner said Wednesday that there wouldn't be enough time to study the results before the deadline to get a referendum on the Feb. 5 ballot. As a result, the district will postpone the survey.
"We will resume work on the survey possibly in the spring, which will provide a more appropriate timeframe to review the results and consider a ballot initiative if there is community support," he said in a statement.
Currently only two of the district's 21 elementary schools -- Owen and Peterson -- have air conditioning.
At other elementary schools in the district -- which covers portions of Naperville, Aurora, Plainfield and Bolingbrook -- classroom temperatures in the early part of the school year sometimes ranged from the 80s to 90s.
After hearing numerous concerns from parents about the effects of the heat on children's health and learning environment, the district studied possible solutions ranging from making changes to the school calendar to installing air conditioning systems.
Jay Strang, director of buildings and grounds, found two viable systems that cost $35.3 million and $45.6 million respectively.
Paying for either would require a tax increase via referendum so the board authorized staff members to perform a random telephone survey of 400 to 500 voters.
District officials originally considered conducting the survey this month, but the process is projected to take about six weeks and the board only has until Dec. 3 to get a referendum on the Feb. 5 ballot.
School board President Mark Metzger said he doesn't seen any benefit to voters to rush the issue, especially since installing air conditioning units in all schools likely would take several years to complete.
"We weren't going to have a solution for this summer anyway," he said. "No matter what, we're looking at dealing with the heat in alternate ways for the coming spring and fall."
