“A few years ago, prior to Covid, we actually had some very high temperatures in our buildings in September, and at that point in time we actually had some concerns if we should be holding school on those days,” Maturski said.

Air conditioning is not novel in Williamsville. The 2000 additions at Casey Middle School, Transit Middle School and Williamsville East High School all have air conditioning.

Although perhaps more common in Southern schools, former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio pledged in 2017 to have air conditioning in all of his city’s public schools in five years.

A 2018 study from the National Bureau of Economic Research showed a correlation between temperature and learning. Hotter school days in the years before students retook the PSATs reduced their scores.   

The Environmental Protection Agency said that indoor air quality, such as the level of pollutants, humidity and temperature, affect the occupants’ health, comfort and ability to perform.

“Our buildings are masonry construction, and they just do not cool down,” Maturski said. “If you’ve got heat in them, they do retain that heat.”

The project also will improve air filtration in buildings, something particularly helpful in dealing with the airborne Covid-19.

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Originally Appeared Here