District Turns OFF AIR on Weekends...Pets Die at School Daycare Centers

By James D. Peters, III

Community contacts us about their concerns

The discussion of a thirty million dollar new administration building, the deaths of several pets, the extensive use of portables.

Lizy the lizard, Sam the hamster, Bernie the frog, all these pets are not just nameless animals to the children and staff but beloved pets. District Administrators instructed all day care centers to turn off air conditioning during the weekends despite objections from daycare staff, who knew that this would put their pets in danger, particularly over the hot summer weekends. The temperature in the portables can reach close to 100 degrees during that time causing the threat of suffocation to the pets. In an attempt to negotiate a solution to this problem parents offered to pay the District for their own air conditioning to insure the well being of the children's pets, but the District would not agree. Sadly in spite of the staff's extended efforts to place the animals temporarily with families several pets died.

Every school in the district has a day care center to meet the needs of the public. The staff of these centers attempt to provide the most comprehensive educational and nurturing environment. They recognized and understand the role pets play in a child's life. Having pets provides an opportunity for our children to learn about the natural world, animals and their environments and how to care for and be responsible for other living things.

Remember

Steve Irwin fascinated and peaked the interest of children (and ourselves) while teaching them about animals and the environment. El Camino Real, Deerfield, University Park, Eastshore , Vista Verde, Turtle Rock, Venado, Sierra Vista have pets somewhere on their campuses.

Our Solution

Allowing the Parents to pay for their own air conditioning during the weekend seems like a reasonable and equitable solution, However, we believe this is a cost the district could absorb.