Students at Jefferson, Lincoln, and McKinley schools in Ottawa will not have air conditioned classrooms when school resumes next month. The school board this week tabled a plan to add window or wall units to the schools.
Cooling the air would make children more comfortable with their masks on, but it could also recirculate germs. Opening the windows would allow fresh air in–and also defeat the purpose of running air conditioners.
If the school board goes ahead with the plan, it’s expected to cost $59,000 for 104 air conditioners, $130,000 for new wiring, and $2,196 per day in additional electricity.