The Open Forum Hot classrooms for DPS students
I have recently retired from Denver Public Schools and can attest firsthand to the brutal heat this time of year, both in the classrooms and out on the playground. Asking the taxpayers to fund air conditioning is an expensive proposition.
In addition to the upfront cost of purchase and installation, there will be higher utility bills and the risk of power outages, as seen yesterday at Oakland Elementary School. And from a green perspective, there is a downside to increased energy consumption. Every year, many of us wonder why metro school districts don’t wait to resume classes until after Labor Day, like in the “good old days” and on the East Coast.
Granted, there are still hot days in September, but fewer of them. With the shorter periods of daytime heating, portable AC units, fans and evaporative coolers can keep everyone comfortable. With all the tough issues facing us today, perhaps the logical path of least resistance would be an option here. and savings up, third-quarter GDP projected up at 2.2%, highest employment and lowest unemployment in 50 years with higher wages and good corporate profit reports.
I quote reputable economist Art Laffer: “I’m not, right now, concerned about a recession.”
P.S. To classify a recession, the GDP would need to register negative percentage numbers for three consecutive quarters. Right now, can anyone in his right mind foresee that in the near future?