By Mary-Justine Lanyon
At the Aug. 15 meeting of the Rim of the World Unified School District’s board of trustees, the issue of classroom temperatures was raised once again.
Parent Samuel Threadgill, who serves on the executive board of the PTA at Valley of Enchantment Elementary School, brought up the new Cal/OSHA heat illness prevention guidelines, which went into effect in July. These guidelines would apply to most workplaces, including schools, where the indoor temperature reaches 82 degrees.
During previous heat waves, Threadgill told the trustees, VOE has reported sustained indoor temperatures exceeding 95 degrees in classrooms and common areas.
He asked the trustees if the district has taken steps to implement a heat illness prevention plan to be in compliance with these guidelines. And he asked if an HVAC system to be in compliance with the Cal/OSHA guidelines would be a priority if the bond measure is approved.
The new guidelines may be seen at https://www.dir.ca.gov/oshsb/documents/Indoor-Heat-updated-txtbrdconsider.pdf.
Several of the trustees addressed the questions during their time for comments.
“The bond is so important because of the air conditioning needs in our classrooms,” said Dr. Bill Mellinger. Those excessive heat issues, he added, “were there well before we saw the temperatures rise last year. This is one of the top priorities of the bond.
“It’s also about security,” Mellinger added. He noted the new Cal/OSHA requirements call for students to be moved to a cooler place when temperatures rise. “Where is that?” he asked. “We have to give the students and staff a better, safer environment.”
“The bond is heavy on my heart,” said Trustee Scott Craft. “We took care of so much last year. We have good leadership in place. We are missing one important piece – taking care of the students. We need to make that a priority this year.”
With the passage of the bond, Trustee Cindy Gardner noted, there will be some matching funds available from the state. “We need to maximize our opportunities. We can pay for some improvements with bond funds, which relieves pressure on the general fund. We will be able to do more for students and staff.”
Trustee Jordana Ridland reminded everyone that those state matching funds are only available to districts with bond money. “It’s hard for students to learn when the environment is not conducive to learning,” she said, implying that a hot classroom is not such an environment. Another piece of the issue is that the existing electrical system will not support air conditioning so it is a larger undertaking.
President Jordan Zarate noted that HVAC systems are “a large piece of the use of the bond funds. The master facility plan broke down the needs across the district – HVAC was a huge part of it.” He also noted that Rim has been pursuing air conditioning for many years. “It has been a recurring issue.” Most of the grants the district looked at had efficiency attached to them and called for a district to upgrade an existing system, which Rim does not have.
In their comments the trustees also welcomed students and staff back for the 2024-2025 school year. “It’s exciting to see the students, parents, teachers and staff,” Mellinger said. Gardner thanked the PTA for putting on the welcome back breakfast, where everyone, Ridland said, “was excited to see one another.”
Superintendent Dr. Paul Sevillano commended the staff for the successful opening of the school year. “I visited every school on opening day,” he said. “I saw staff creating a welcoming environment for the students. It was very evident at all schools.” At the welcome back breakfast, he said, there was a powerful discussion about how the district will address student needs. “What can we do in addition to what we’re already doing?” he said was the question.
In her legislative report, Gardner referenced AB 3216, which mandates the removal of cell phones in classrooms. “The governor has put out letters to all schools urging them to implement such a policy,” she said. “I’m proud we jumped on this. Teachers and parents are, for the most part, appreciative. It creates a much better learning environment.”
Zarate was pleased to add that SB 1429, which Rim helped write and sponsored, was on the governor’s desk for signature. Under this bill, Rim would be able to cover attendance loss due to snowstorms. “I’m not aware of any other school district that has helped write and sponsor a piece of legislation,” he said.
0 Comments