Air conditioning in all Edison schools? Talks have resumed

EDISON – Plans to implement air conditioning at all district schools where infrastructure challenges will allow it are being advocated by the school board president as part of the district's long-range facilities plan.

"I personally believe air conditioning must be installed in every single school building where infrastructure challenges do not exist," Board of Education President Biral Patel said at a recent meeting.

But how much it would cost, how it would be financed and how long it would take is not known.

"Implementing air conditioning will incur costs but it seems a necessity, especially on days like this," Patel said.

Edison has two high schools, four middle schools, 10 elementary schools, a preschool, early learning center and an intermediate school for a total of almost 20 school buildings. The new James Monroe Elementary School, opened in 2017 following a March 2014 fire that destroyed the 1960s building, is already fully air conditioned. Most other district schools are much older and lack full air conditioning.

The New Jersey School Boards Association does not track how many school districts in New Jersey have fully air-conditioned schools.

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Edison had a potential plan for air conditioning in the schools in 2022 in which some cost analysis was done, and now Patel wants the architects to look at that plan again. Patel said now is the time to move forward with plans to air condition the schools since there have been four years of zero percent tax increases to the school budget, while also providing zero increase in subscription bus fees and free breakfasts for students.

Superintendent of Schools Edward Aldarelli said the initial phase would be to prioritize and emphasize air conditioning in the schools as part of the district's long-range facilities plan. He said the topic also has come up as part the district's strategic plan in relationship to infrastructure and wellness.

He said once the board has an opportunity to look at those plans and digest the information and it is approved by the school board, it will be codified as a mission and goal to move forward. The district will then have to make sure there is a funding mechanism to ensure the board's goals are fully funded in a manner that is in line with the district's budgetary needs and also not cost prohibited by taxpayers.

Patel said the recent hot school days in which parents expressed concern about the lack of air conditioning in the schools along with the half-day sessions implemented due to the high temperatures underscores the district's need for a comprehensive plan to address the impact of climate change in district school buildings.

"Imagine two weeks like this when we close early every single day for two weeks. We cannot remain dependent on the weather gods, just as learning cannot happen on an empty stomach, it there are climate safety issues students cannot learn appropriately," Patel said.

Board member Douglas Schneider said he was glad to see the district re-energize the 2022 plan for air conditioning.

"This week is brutal," Schneider said about the heat wave with 90-degree temperatures in Central Jersey last week.

"I don't think the last couple of weeks of school and the first few weeks of school are easy for our students relating that directly to learning. It's not just the comfort but it's actually the results in the classroom," Schneider said. "I think by getting proper climate control, we've talked about this for years, it is in our long-range facilities plan which makes me very happy and I'm happy this board is supportive of that."

Patel said he and some school administrators recently attended a senior awards night ceremony on a really hot day during which the audience members were constantly fanning themselves rather than using their hands to clap and cheer for the students being recognized.

"We are working on a long-range facility plan to make sure air conditioning is included," he said.

Email: srussell@gannettnj.com

Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Edison NJ BOE to consider air conditioning all schools