HONOLULU (AP) — As complaints from students, teachers and parents about sweltering classrooms grow louder, the state Department of Education made an emergency request to expedite the purchase of 1,000 portable air conditioning units for classrooms. ADVERTISING HONOLULU (AP) —
HONOLULU (AP) — As complaints from students, teachers and parents about sweltering classrooms grow louder, the state Department of Education made an emergency request to expedite the purchase of 1,000 portable air conditioning units for classrooms.
The units will be temporarily installed in the hottest classrooms.
“We realized we really need to do something above and beyond. We had already started ordering some of these, but (Sept. 4) we actually went to the extreme of asking for the emergency procurement because we had exhausted the list of available units on island,” said Dann Carlson, the Assistant Superintendent of the Office of School Facilities and Support Services.
Carlson said this is a short-term solution as they already exhausted their current supply of air conditioners, and some of the schools will need major electrical upgrades to sustain the use of portable air conditioners.
“We’ve learned a lot in just the last week with this portable AC units and the fact that plugging them unbeknownst and didn’t expect the circuit to be overloaded but we were popping circuit breakers,” Carlson said.
In the hottest classrooms across the state, 57 air conditioners already were installed, but 10 of those aren’t working. Officials say they received 36 more units Thursday and they will be distributing them immediately.
The announcement comes after two rallies were hosted Thursday outside the department’s headquarters. First, during the morning commute and again after school so students and teachers could attend.
“They can’t concentrate. They’re getting heat exhaustion, nose bleeds, kids are passing out. They’re going to the emergency room.” said Cool Our Keiki founder Gigi Jones.
Carlson said the department speaks to principals and asks where the top 10 hottest classrooms are. Then, electricians test the circuits to make sure they can operate the units.
“Scientifically, it is hotter this year than it has ever been and I think that rose the concern,” he said. “We are listening to our principals, we are listening to our complex area superintendents, to our students, to our parents — and we’re trying to be reactive. We’re trying to do the right thing.”
