A proposition is included in the upcoming budget vote on May 21 that will give the District the approval to add air conditioning in the intermediate and high schools at no cost to taxpayers.

The project, which will add air conditioning to all classrooms and each school’s cafeteria, will not exceed a cost of $4.5 million with the money coming from the District’s capital reserve fund, which is much like a “savings account” for the District.

“The voters approved last year to establish a capital reserve account and based on the District’s fund balance we were able to fund that, so the funds will come entirely from that account,” said Business Administrator Robert Farrier.

Superintendent of Schools Raymond Castellani added, “I would like for our community members to think of these capital reserves as kind of a homeowner's savings account. Rather than a homeowner, or in this case the District, having to take out a mortgage or borrow from a home equity loan in order to complete home improvements, the homeowner, or in this case the District has additional funds in a savings account or a reserve account to complete the work. This saves hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest.

“What we’re really asking is for the community to allow us to use those funds.”

If voters approve the proposition, the project is expected to be completed for the start of the 2025-2026 school year.

“We’re looking at the possibility of an extended school year for students who may need academic intervention services or other educational services. This will allow us to consider these types of programs throughout the summer regardless of the heat conditions, even in the late spring, early fall,” said Castellani.

“Putting a project up like this that is going to have a long-term positive effect on our students with no impact to taxpayers is a win-win for everybody.”

On previous excessively hot days, students were either dismissed early or moved into the newly renovated high school auditorium, which opened in 2023 and is air-conditioned. The auditorium was used as a cooling center back in September to give students a break from the heat and it was used on the hot afternoon to house elementary students, where they watched a movie.

“Students are not able to learn under those conditions,” said Castellani of the heat. “They struggle. They get tired. It’s uncomfortable for everybody, so this will allow us to make sure students and staff are in a comfortable environment where learning will be optimal.”