$40 Million Sought to Air-Condition Schools

Assemblyman Mike Roos (D-Los Angeles) said Friday that he will ask the state Legislature to earmark $40 million of an $800-million school construction bond measure to pay for air-conditioning schools.

The bond issue, which goes before the Assembly for approval next week, is proposed for the June ballot. A similar bond measure is slated for the November ballot, and Roos said he will ask that a portion of that also be earmarked for air conditioning.

The lack of air conditioning in schools has been criticized by parents opposed to the Los Angeles Unified School District’s plan for a year-round schedule next year. School district officials estimate that it costs up to $1 million to install air conditioning in a single school.