LTHS Rationing Air Conditioning to Save Money

For the first two weeks of the 2010-2011 calendar year, Lyons Township high school's students and teachers have been asking the same question: Why is it so darn hot?

Due to LT's budget limitations, only certain rooms in the school are presently being air-conditioned.

"Certain rooms have to be air-conditioned, like rooms with computers, for example," LTHS Principal Dave Franson said.

Because much of the school is constructed of brick, heat is stored within the walls and thus makes numerous classrooms sauna-like for the students and teachers.

According to Franson, a building composed almost entirely of brick, such as the Vaughn Gym at North Campus, would take three or four days to cool down after significant exposure to summer heat.

This summer average temperatures have increased from the last two years, along with the heat index, which is a combination of actual temperature and humidity. When the temperature is measured to be 85 degrees Fahrenheit, a significant humidity could make the air feel 5, 10 or even 15 degrees hotter than it really is.

And at North Campus especially, students are feeling the effects of such a severe heat index that characterized parts of  August.

"The extreme heat in school is a distraction," LT senior Jenny Cklamovski said. "I'm either fanning myself to stay cool, or trying to find another way to cool down. I feel like the heat situation keeps me from always paying attention when I should be learning."

Franson concedes it's possible the heat is affecting students.

"[The heat] certainly has the potential to be distracting because students aren't as comfortable as they would like to be in their classes," Franson said.

High temperature and humidity are most noticeable on second- and third-floor classrooms at North Campus, while certain locations, including the library and discovery center are air-conditioned.

In the classrooms without air conditioning, the staff is trying to find ways to beat the heat.

"We put ceiling fans in all the rooms, and we also implemented screens on the windows so teachers can open them without worrying about bees or other bugs flying in," said Ken Brescia, director of buildings and grounds.

Though the issue will likely be short-lived with the arrival of autumn, students will be forced to endure the heat until cooler temperatures are here to stay.

LT students return to school Sept. 7 following Labor Day weekend.