I live in a small farming community in the northeastern part of the country.
- I work as a secretary in the main office of the high school.
Just recently, there has been a movement among a group of parents to invest in central air conditioning for the building. As a taxpayer, I find this idea to be totally ridiculous. For one thing, our school year runs from early September until mid June. For at least six months, we deal with temperatures that require running the heating system. Even when the weather warms up, we rarely get a day higher than seventy degrees before July. By the time the kids head back to school in the fall, they typically need to wear long pants and a coat. There’s very little chance of needed air conditioning at any time during the school year. These parents are determined to spend an enormous amount of money to cool a nearly empty building over the summer. A few of the high school sports practice over the summer, but they are all outdoor activities. We have a small theater club that utilizes the auditorium and stage. About half the kids in this club come from other school districts. The taxpayers would be paying a gigantic electric bill to run the air conditioner for the sake of one room and less than a dozen kids. I would think our money would be better spent updating the downright ancient heating system. During the middle of the winter, the classrooms closest to the heater are so hot that the teachers open the windows. In the classrooms furthest away, the kids are shivering and wearing their coats.