Pantagraph.com | News | Heyworth talks air conditioning at elementary school

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

outside, looking in wrote on Nov 4, 2007 4:27 PM:

" I've kept up with this story during the ridiculously hot first two months of the Central Illnois school year. I'm not really understanding why so many from Heyworth are upset that a group of parents just want what's best for their kids and their kids' teachers. Do you not realize that children have died from heat stroke in schools without air-conditioning over the years? Additionally, there are studies that prove, without a doubt, kids cannot learn and retain as much information when climate conditions are unfavorable . . . too hot or too cold. Those of you opposed to air-conditioning claim you went without A.C. and faired just fine. I beg to differ . . . you should check your grammar and spelling next time you post something for the world to see. (I hope none of you work for the Heyworth District . . . that would be quite the double whammy for those poor kids.) "

Sweathogs! wrote on Oct 27, 2007 9:51 AM:

" To the comment that kids are coming home "dripping with sweat", maybe it is time to do something about obesity. If we really have too many overweight kids these days then I am sure a little activity and sweat is just what the doctor ordered! Also we could have a special assessment on the parents property taxes who are pushing this stupid idea! Put your own money where your mouth is! "

innocent by-stander wrote on Oct 26, 2007 9:22 PM:

" Why I see alot of back and forth on this blog. There aren't many answers to the questions up. If it is such a good idea and everyone in town is behind it, then it wouldn't be that hard to answer what appear to be simple questions. Also, why is it that there can only be one opinion about this. It seems when someone else sees things differently then they are small minded. I believe that MT is a fine volunteer but, that doesn't mean that the other volunteers aren't just as worthy and don't do just as much if not more. From what I see Heyworth has a fine group of parents and school officials that work for one common goal. The kids will be just fine whether there is air conditioning or not. There are alot of schools that don't have air condition and there graduates go on to lead successful and meaningful lives. The school officials already had a plan in place. Why isn't that good enough for some. "

look at your calendar wrote on Oct 26, 2007 12:40 PM:

" Why would you put central air in schools? For the month of September? Give me a break. It all sounds like a great and novel idea, and a necessity, but when you apply some common sense, air condition really isn't necessary for midwest schools. You are talking September and May....are those really hot months? Am I missing something here? Or is this something the teachers just can't handle....is the teachers' union lobbying for better labor conditions? Gimme a break. "

innocent by-stander wrote on Oct 25, 2007 9:11 PM:

" One question, who is going to pay for this after the inital installation? Has anyone thought about the monthly maintenance and the power bills. Why the school may be able to ante up the funds to install it. Who is going to ante up the funds to maintain it for years to come? "

To Priorities! wrote on Oct 25, 2007 5:59 PM:

" heyworth parents are all for it! Actually it was a couple Heyworth parents who started going around and getting signatures from parents-and might I add the teachers have signed too! "

06 HEY HI GRAD wrote on Oct 25, 2007 5:32 PM:

" THOSE KIDS AT THAT GRADE SCHOOL DESERVE TO HAVE AC-THEY COME HOME SOAKED IN SWEAT! I HAD TO SPEND MY GRADE SCHOOL YEARS THE SAME WAY-IF THOSE HIGH SCHOOL KIDS CAN HAVE A NEW SCHOOL WITH AC PLUS A NEW FOOTBALL/TRACK COMPLEX THEN WHY THE HECK CAN'T THESE KIDS HAVE AC? IF YOU WANT TO START TALKING ABOUT BEING FAIR THEN I SUGGEST CUTTING THE AC AT THE HIGH SCHOOL TOO! "

Priorities! wrote on Oct 25, 2007 2:14 PM:

" Where are all the people when the school board or the village board is in session?Where are the volunteers in Heyworth? A few loud complainers seem to dictate what we all do. AC in the Grade School may be a good idea but it would not be a front-burner issue for me. It they get a grant then so be it. But even then we need to remember that resources are very limited and perhaps better priorities need to be set. Give the poor taxpayer a break! "

I won't back down wrote on Oct 25, 2007 10:51 AM:

" I grew up in this county and even though I've only been a taxpayer in Heyworth postal code for 4 years, I love Heyworth enough to point out where improvements can be made, instead of running away. I also didn't attend board meetings for all those years and yeah, shame on me, because I trusted that everyone was doing the right thing for the kids. Those who find it so easy to mouth off on anonymous blogs ought to show up at board meetings and say the same thing they do here. If not, then we'll know who the real bullies are. By the way...the teachers and staff at the elementary school are the best I've ever seen. Too bad those above them in the district haven't reflected this. "

HHS grad too wrote on Oct 25, 2007 10:20 AM:

" Maybe they are trying to bring Heyworth into the 21st century. When I went to high school there in the 70's it was pathetic. They were so behind the times in their high school curriculum it wasn't funny. They obviously believed the "3 R's" was all you needed as that was what they pretty much provided. In high school I had to take Home Ec just so I could earn enough credits to graduate - even though that was the last class on earth I would have taken if given more choices. They should have merged with Wapella when they had the chance - but oh no! That was a terrible thing. They preferrred living in a 1950's time warp. I've wondered through the years what their curriculum now looks like - hopefully they are doing a better job. "

Heyberry, USA...again x 2 wrote on Oct 25, 2007 10:00 AM:

" After re-reading this comment it occured to me that it could come across as being highly sarcastic and I assure you it is not intended to be. "

Heyberry, USA...again wrote on Oct 25, 2007 10:00 AM:

" Thank you for the interesting information to the person that commented to me. I realize I am simply a member of the public and don't quite know/understand the process to acquire financing etc. for these types of projects. I do have respect for our community leaders and have no doubt they are working for the good of Heyworth. But put yourself in the general publics position for one moment. We don't have the "inside" information that you apparently do and it could very well be our own fault. That being said.....if you put yourself in our uninformed shoes you may get the same picture we see. I see A/C for our grade school as a higher priority than a new football field. But as I stated, I apparently have no idea what deals have to be made etc. to get the things that we need/want. I should probably better educate myself on the previous before I comment on issues. I stand corrected. I have faith that our village and schools will do the right thing for our entire community. "

To Heyberry, USA wrote on Oct 25, 2007 9:11 AM:

" The football field/track project is a being constructed because of an intergovernmental agreement with the village and is part of the reason you now see houses going up in the Prairie Meadows development. And yes, there will be commercial development there. The board has been considering a/c but you have to time these things in order to have financing options. Some in this community may recall this time last year when the school district was contemplating a raise in the district's tax levy of over 9 percent. Oh, the outcry you heard then! Of course, it was scaled back. By being able to issue bonds to finance the heating system replacement with geothermal (and, adding a/c to the mix), the school shouldn't have to raise taxes in order to pay for it. But then, people don't pay attention to what our elected officials do unless its something they don't like. "

ac is no luxury wrote on Oct 25, 2007 8:40 AM:

" ac is no luxury. if your kid were one of the ones who became extremely ill you'd feel differnt. do you have all the facts? i'm sure you're a nice person and if you knew how serious of a problem this was, you'd be on the side of ac too. these are kids we are talking about, why take a chance with their health? luxury is a new football field. "

Heyberry, USA wrote on Oct 25, 2007 8:00 AM:

" Lets get some more business going in Heyberry so we can spread the tax burden out, not to mention better our community. Some people want to complain about spending 2 million dollars on air conditioning for the young people that will some day run this nation? If it is possible to make a better learning atmosphere for or youth isn't it our obligation to do so? Maybe the school board could have considered this issue instead of a 2 million dollar Football Field. I live in Heyworth and I don't care if my taxes go up a little if the result is an investment in our kids futures. But I think the school board should have done a little better prioritizing. "

Laugh while you can name callers wrote on Oct 25, 2007 7:13 AM:

" Nice jokes, ha ha NOT. How strong is your argument if you have to resort to name calling? Yes it would have been nice if the district had done their job a few years back and spent a few thousand dollars to correct the building deficiencies instead of spending 1.2 million to replace a heating system that works just fine, just so they can get an a/c in the package. We need A/C in the extreme heat as much as we need heat in the extreme winter, period. "

Compassion wrote on Oct 24, 2007 10:04 PM:

" Air Conditioning a school is selfish. Why should we air condition a school when so many of our prisons and jails still dont have true 1080i Hi Def Plasma Screen TV.s in thier cells ? Lets get our fiscal priorites straight ASAP. "

to Big Man wrote on Oct 24, 2007 7:45 PM:

" Big Man, you are 100% correct! My only question for you is when do you LEAVE for Iraq to show us simple country folk how to take charge and bring this horrible war to and end. If you decide to head over to Iraq within the next 10 days, we will have the school district in your area provide a geothermal system for your tent, hut, or current spider hole you hide in. As you were. "

Big Man wrote on Oct 24, 2007 5:47 PM:

" These kiddies don't need ac. They need math and geography and spelling. Kids today are too soft. Is it any wonder we are losing the war in Iraq? "

Overdue wrote on Oct 24, 2007 5:30 PM:

" I sat my childhood sweating away at Heyworth schools. It seems stupid to not have air condition in a building where computers are. I spend most of my life now working around computers and know that depending on the size of the room and number of computers in it, it can raise the temp of that room. Plus, humidity and dust can damage a computer. It seems stupid that the state would put computers into the classroom without first placing a/c in there. That is about as stupid as State Farm planting $1 milllion in trees in front of their headquarters during a drought w/o an irrigation system. "

Amanda wrote on Oct 24, 2007 5:19 PM:

" Even dog kennels and prisons are air conditioned. These kids (and adults) have grown up in air conditioning.....It's not the 50's or 60's anymore. You try working or learning in a brick building that tops 90 degrees on any given day. Don't forget to add the humidity to that 90 degree temperature. "

You've got to be kidding wrote on Oct 24, 2007 4:41 PM:

" Another 2.2 million. When is this board ever going to stop its spending? Like NEVER! Merker and the board we should run you all out of town. Spending for A/C is one thing but replacing the whole system for geothermal you people are crazy. The fall back on those systems is electric heat and we all know electricity isn't getting less expense. "

It's hot in there! wrote on Oct 24, 2007 4:02 PM:

" Get em ac, like YESTURDAY!!! "

Mac Daddy wrote on Oct 24, 2007 3:07 PM:

" Well the building was not designed for cross winds to help the building "breathe" and the a/c was not an option due people thinking it was a luxury item. Yes, I know it would have made sense to have this issue addressed in the beginning, but is was not. I am glad to see the community being informed of the progress and not letting a couple of town "yo-yo's" try to stop any type of progress. "

Ya know wrote on Oct 24, 2007 2:57 PM:

" I spent many times in my youth, sitting & sweating in a sweltering classroom growing up. I made it through just fine....GET A FAN!! "

Bookworm wrote on Oct 24, 2007 2:05 PM:

" Air Conditioning ? come on ! whats next ? lights and fire alarms ? next thing ya know they will be wanting intercoms and flagpoles. this flagrant spending has got to stop. This is after all, a school, not a luxury resort. "

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