WHEREAS, students need to have the most comfortable environment that is conducive to learning in order to achieve the educational standards set for them; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that a physical learning environment that is free of unnecessary distractions from heat or outside noise is crucial to student learning; and

WHEREAS, given Hawaii's tropical environment and heat, many classrooms need to be equipped with air conditioning or alternative air cooling methods; and

WHEREAS, despite a tremendous backlog of repair and maintenance items and the need for new schools and facilities, it is important to include air conditioning costs as part of a comprehensive priority list of critical budget items for the Department of Education; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Education has projected that the provision of necessary air conditioning to each school and school complex will cost $1,000,000,000 over the next five years; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, that the Department of Education is requested to evaluate various alternative air cooling methods such as fans, heat reduction, insulation, and energy efficient individual air conditioning wall units for schools; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in the evaluation, the Department is requested to include information on utility and maintenance costs for the proposed air cooling methods, and information on any electrical upgrades that may be necessary for the various cooling alternatives; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to submit a status report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2007, and a final report no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2008; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the evaluation be used to develop a strategic plan for air cooling methods in public schools; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Superintendent of Education and the Chair of the Board of Education.

Report Title:

Air Conditioning; Schools; DOE