SCHEDULE CHANGE COULD HELP KEEP SCHOOLS COOLER

Cooler days have arrived, and that is certainly a relief to area school children and teachers. Several area schools dismissed classes early during late August as temperatures hovered around the 100-degree mark.

While dismissing early proved inconvenient for many parents, it is doubtful much learning could take place under such sweltering conditions.

But air conditioning schools isn't a simple answer. It is expensive to retrofit old school buildings with built-in systems. In the Cape Girardeau public schools, the cost would top $4.5 million. Only Franklin Elementary, the Area Vocational-Technical School and school offices are air conditioned.

There is also a feasibility issue: Why spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to retrofit buildings such as May Greene and Washington schools, which are in desperate need of replacement?

While central air conditioning would prove more expensive at the front-end, it would be more economical to operate than window units. Most of the Cape Girardeau public school buildings are operating at electrical capacity and would require new electrical wiring even for window units.

Air conditioning has been part of ballot issues three times in Cape Girardeau. All three issues failed. In April 1993, it was part of a 99-cent tax increase. In October 1993, a new middle school would have been air conditioned along with a Jefferson School addition as part of a 51-cent tax package. In June 1994, air conditioning was part of the plan if voters had approved a waiver of 37-cent tax rollback.

But air conditioning is a fickle matter. The need is apparent in the heat of late August, when kids are sizzling in the classrooms. Months later, it is easy to forget when weighing the costs.

Since area schools don't use facilities year around, air conditioning may also be considered an expensive proposition for a few months of operation.

By state law, schools must start after Labor Day unless they opt for an agricultural exemption. All area schools use the exemption, including the Cape Girardeau public schools. Delaying schools until after Labor Day would avoid the intense August heat. Of course that means students would attend classes a week later into June. It is certainly an alternative worth consideration by the Cape Girardeau Board of Education.