Allowing Portable Air Conditioners in Maryland Schools

Sometimes providing children with a productive learning environment goes beyond getting the best teachers. There are times when it comes down to the classroom itself. For Maryland schools, it is a matter of making sure children can concentrate and not get distracted by sweltering heat. Consider a recent article for the Washington Post titled “Window air-conditioners to be allowed at sweltering Maryland public schools.”

Josh Hicks of the Washington Post writes, “Maryland’s Board of Public Works on Wednesday lifted a ban on using state money to purchase window air-conditioning units for public school classrooms. The rule was designed to promote energy efficiency, but it came under scrutiny at the start of the school year, when children and teachers in Baltimore City and Baltimore County found themselves sweltering in classrooms amid higher-than-usual temperatures. Seventy-six of the 145 city schools are without air conditioning and 48 of 175 in the county. Comptroller Peter Franchot (D), one of three members of the board, described the situation Wednesday as ‘our Flint,’ referring to problems with lead-tainted drinking water in that Michigan city. He said that without window units, students, teachers and school employees were subjected to ‘conditions that few of us would even expose our animals to.’ Gov. Larry Hogan (R), another member of the board, said the unanimous vote to change the regulation provides ‘an immediate solution to a terrible problem.’ Some school officials have expressed concern that the districts would have to shift funds from other projects in order to pay for the portable air-conditioning units. State Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp (D), the third member of the board, said districts should report back on where they find money for the installations. Gregory Thornton, chief executive of Baltimore City schools, estimated that the cost for his district would be $17 million. Baltimore County superintendent Dallas Dance said the figure would be between $8 million and $10 million for his schools. Hogan and Franchot said they expect the districts to install the units quickly.”

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