Letter: Spending on district office sends wrong message

EDITOR,
It recently came to the attention of some of the parents of San Lorenzo Valley that our school board has approved a $220,000 expenditure for air conditioning and upgrades at the SLV district office ($33,000 for air-conditioning alone).
This expenditure might be construed as acceptable and appropriate at any other time, but in this economic climate, with funds to improve and maintain our schools in such short supply, it is felt by many residents and parents that this expenditure is fiscally irresponsible and unfair.
We’ve been told the money will come out of Bond S reserves. This bond money built the new classrooms at San Lorenzo Valley Elementary, Boulder Creek Elementary, San Lorenzo Valley Middle and San Lorenzo Valley High schools — and all of these buildings were built without the inclusion of any sort of cooling system for the hundreds of students who are taught in these new classrooms all school-year long.
I ask the board of trustees to put themselves in the shoes of the many families that send their young children to school every day, hoping the temperature doesn’t get too high. Also, consider the teachers. They are trying to teach some 35 students in 80- to 90-degree heat, every day, every season, every year, for many years to come. I understand that the employees at the district office are also uncomfortable and are seeking relief from the heat, but by moving ahead with the upgrades and ignoring the students and teachers, it’s not only unfair, but also sending the wrong message to the public and the employees of the district.
We respectfully urge the board to reconsider this decision and go back to the table to discuss ways to cool the offices and classrooms in a fair and equitable manner. We demand that you do not use public funds that were voted on by a two-thirds majority vote specifically for school improvements that are meant to benefit hundreds of students, not just 19 employees at the district office.
Heidi Harris, Ben Lomond