THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

90

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO STUDY THE AIR COOLING NEEDS OF EACH SCHOOL COMPLEX AND TO REVIEW THE FEASIBILITY OF USING ALTERNATIVE AIR COOLING METHODS SUCH AS FANS, HEAT REDUCTION, INSULATION, AND ENERGY EFFICIENT INDIVIDUAL AIR CONDITIONING WALL UNITS.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, students need to have the most conducive, comfortable learning environment 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 (DOE); and

 

     WHEREAS, DOE 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-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, that DOE is requested to study the air cooling needs of each school complex and review the feasibility of using alternative air cooling methods such as fans, heat reduction, insulation, and energy efficient individual air conditioning wall units; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that as part of the study, the Department is requested to include information on utility and maintenance costs for the proposed air cooling methods, information on any electrical upgrades that may be necessary for each school, a projected total cost, and a timetable for implementation; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DOE is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2008; and

 

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

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Study air cooling needs of schools