Alderman Aubry Brent Jr. said he feels it’s hard for local students to improve academically when their classrooms are extremely cold from the lack of heat.
“I have been contacted by a lot of parents and teachers in reference to the cold buildings (among) our schools,” Brent said, during the Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting Monday. “I am saying this because I want the school board members to address this issue.”
Brent said he is particularly concerned with the cold temperatures inside Webster Elementary School.
Brent also reminded the city council that the new school district superintendent Dr. Darron Edwards vowed to improve the district’s academic ratings.
“Well, we are not going to raise any scores with sick children,” Brent said. “I went to a Christmas program, and it was literally freezing when I walked into the hallways.”
Brent said some teachers have moved their classrooms into other rooms in order to have some form of heating.
“The district gets Crump Fund money, and we also levy taxes and send them big checks,” Brent added. “I am sure they can find some way to get this heating system fixed so these children won’t go home sick every day.”
Brent said being uncomfortably cold in the classroom distracts students from learning.
“They cannot be in this environment, being cold,” Brent said. “One thing I always admired about Harold Kelly was that he took care of his teachers, but he also took care of his buildings. I know the buildings are old, but by the same token, it is what we have. We should make sure our kids are warm.”
