Several teachers mentioned the recent heat wave and the lack of air conditioning in San Benito High School classrooms during the public comment period of the school board meeting this week.
Psychology and English teacher Tom Rooth’s students have been performing better since his classroom received an air conditioner and he wants the same for other colleagues, he said. The change is especially marked in his after-lunch classes.
“They’re eyes are open. They’re sitting up. They not slouched on their desk asleep,” he said. “They’re so engaged.”
To show trustees how hot a 90-degree classroom feels, another speaker, science teacher Katherine Foster, asked staff to shut the doors of the room and turn the heat to 90 degrees for 100 minutes. Staff opened the door before the suggested time frame to allow air to flow through the library where board meetings are held.
Board President Evelyn Muro reminded the speakers that trustees are not allowed to respond to public comment during that part of the meeting. Superintendent John Perales addressed the teachers’ concerns in his superintendent’s report at the end of the meeting. He said air conditioning was a priority for trustees, but the change couldn’t happen overnight due to state requirements.
