Board Acts to Air-Condition 100 Schools
The Board of Education on Tuesday voted to borrow as much as $180 million to provide air-conditioning in the gymnasiums and auditoriums of about 100 year-round schools.
The funds would also be used to reduce class size in the ninth grade, increase the capacity of children’s centers and upgrade several job training centers.
Officials estimate the improvements will cost $221 million. They plan to borrow $160 million now for the first phase of construction and will seek authorization to borrow another $61 million next year for the remainder of the work.
The loans do not require voter approval because they will be repaid from district operating funds rather than additional taxes, district officials said.
The projects were not included in the $2.4-billion bond approved by voters in 1997, which provided for air-conditioning in classrooms.
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