Senators pull plug on cooling all schools

An ambitious proposal that would have mandated air-conditioning in all public schools within the next five years was shelved Monday by a state Senate committee, which instead opted to have the Department of Education study the issue and come up with a strategy.

Now, only 12 public schools — out of 255 — have central air-conditioning throughout their campuses, according to the DOE.

Corey Rosenlee, a teacher at Campbell High School in Ewa Beach who has led an effort to bring attention to the sweltering conditions in some classrooms, testified in support of Senate Bill 2559, which would have required air-conditioning be installed in all schools by 2019. The bill also would have provided $25 million for the first phase of the effort next fiscal year.

Rosenlee told the Senate Education Committee Monday that some classrooms at his school have recorded temperatures of 95 degrees in recent weeks. Temperatures at Kahuku High topped 100 degrees, while classrooms at Honowai Elementary and Lahainaluna and Waialua high schools reached 91 degrees this school year, he said.

"I have been fighting for this issue for seven years. It’s not until you’ve been in a 90-degree-plus classroom for eight hours a day and seeing your children melt that you absolutely feel the anger that this issue continues to go on," Rosenlee said.

He helped organize a student rally last fall at the state Capitol, where nearly 500 Campbell students turned out to advocate for air-conditioning in public schools. About two weeks later, the state Board of Education voted to add $25 million to its capital improve­ments budget request aimed at air-conditioning classrooms. Gov. Neil Abercrombie also included the funds in his proposed budget before lawmakers.

The Hawaii State Teachers Association supported SB 2559, testifying that "temperatures are unbearable for our teachers and students." Another 60 individuals, including teachers, counselors and students, submitted supporting testimony.

DOE Assistant Superintendent Raymond L’Heureux, who oversees school facilities and support services, said the department does not support the bill.

"I absolutely support the intent of this, and empathize with anybody that has to teach in a (hot) classroom," he testified.

But he said the department already gets state funding each year for its so-called heat abatement program and is "whittling away" at a priority list that currently includes nine schools needing air-conditioning.

Since 2002, five campuses statewide have been air-conditioned and moved off that list. Campbell High is in the No. 3 spot.

L’Heureux said the department was also concerned that the bill would require all schools to have air-conditioning when, he said, not all schools need it.

"We’re looking at it tactically but also strategically, and there’s a maintenance cost to this, too, that is also extremely expensive," he said.

While the Education Committee voted to defer the measure indefinitely, it advanced Senate Bill 2424, which would require the DOE and the state Department of Accounting and General Services to "jointly develop a master strategy for cooling all public school facilities and conduct a comprehensive study" that looks at estimated installation and maintenance costs.

"I would like to see the (departments) come up with information … before requiring us to set aside a certain amount of funding for something we don’t know yet what the outcome will be. That’s my issue," said Sen. Michelle Kidani, who is vice chairwoman of both the Senate Education and Ways and Means committees.

Committee Chairwoman Jill Tokuda said the bill will be amended to include the Hawaii State Energy Office and the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute at the University of Hawaii in the working group.

In 2007, legislators also considered a bill asking the Department of Education to come up with a plan to install air conditioners in all schools within a decade. But that plan was shelved after the then-superintendent called it unrealistic and projected the cost at $1 billion.

Rosenlee said he’s been in talks with solar energy firms about more affordable alternatives. He said one company has estimated it can install air-conditioning systems that are powered solely with photovoltaic panels, reducing energy costs and the need to upgrade schools’ old electrical systems.

He appeared deflated after the hearing, but said he’s hopeful the surviving measure can be amended to include requirements for carrying out the resulting strategies and enforcing a timetable.

"It doesn’t matter how good of a teacher you are, it doesn’t matter how great your curriculum is — if a kid is in a 90-degree classroom and their head’s down, they’re not learning anything," Rosenlee said afterward. "AC is not just about comfort. It’s about giving our students the same quality environment that we have in our businesses and communities. One of my students put it the best: The lack of AC is an education-stopper."

He said he’s organizing a rally March 6 at the Capitol to continue advocating for air conditioning and to support the $25 million in Abercrombie’s proposed budget.