Every NYC Classroom Will Have AC By 2022, Bill De Blasio Promises

MANHATTAN, NY — Every New York City classroom will get air conditioning by 2022, Mayor Bill de Blasio promised on Tuesday, pledging to update cooling capabilities for the estimated 11,000 city classrooms that lack A.C.

De Blasio and NYC schools chancellor Carmen Fariña announced on Tuesday their plan to outfit every single classroom in the city with air conditioning units. The city estimates that about 26 percent of all classrooms, or about 11,500, lack functioning air conditioning. Advocates say the sweltering temperates that some classrooms reach in warmer months make it difficult for students to learn and can harm their health. More than 2,000 classrooms will get air conditioning during the first year of the five-year plan, de Blasio's office said in a statement.

The mayor's pre-election promise comes after months of campaigning from parents, students and advocates throughout the city, including City Council Member Brad Lander. Lander, who represents Park Slope and neighboring communities in Brooklyn, launched the #TooHotToLearn campaign in October, calling on the mayor's office to update school facilities. Lander circulated an online petition imploring the mayor to upgrade schools, and released a report that showed the majority of classrooms without air conditioning were located in Brooklyn and Queens. Lander's report said that more than 10,000 classrooms, roughly 25 percent citywide, lacked air conditioning. His research cited examples of children unable to learn and even falling ill due to hot classrooms.

"Through the #TooHotToLearn campaign, we heard so many stories of classrooms so hot that kids and teachers could not concentrate, those with asthma or special needs were unable to attend, even of kids fainting," Lander said in a statement on Tuesday. "Thanks to Mayor de Blasio for setting NYC schools on a path to classrooms where all our kids can learn."

Council Member Daniel Dromm, chair of the City Council's education committee, also applauded the De Blasio and Fariña's move on Tuesday.

"As a former NYC public school teacher who taught summer school for more than 20 years, I saw firsthand how sweltering classrooms distract students from actual learning," Dromm said in a statement. "These dollars will help ensure that our classrooms are comfortable and safe for teachers and students year-round."

The city has promised to dole out $28.75 million over the next five years to cool down city schools. The five-year plan for NYC's school construction authority also includes about $50 million for electrical upgrades to handle the additional AC units.

Lead image via Shutterstock.