All elementary school gymnasiums were air-conditioned with funds from Bond 2004, and this proposal is considered Phase 2 of that initiative. All schools that Northside has opened since 2003 have been built with already air-conditioned gyms.

The air-conditioning proposal has particular significance, considering temperatures in San Antonio frequently reach into the 80s and 90s in the spring, summer, and fall. The gymnasiums are used for physical education classes, school assemblies, and athletic practices and events throughout the year.

“Children, even in middle school and high school, can’t handle the heat as well as adults,” said Linda Seewald, coordinator of health and physical education. “Sometimes the temperature in the gyms can get up to 95 degrees or higher, and extreme heat can be very detrimental to children.”

Currently, all middle and high school gymnasiums have ventilation systems, but “if it’s 100 degrees outside, that’s the temperature of the air that’s being circulated,” said Jim Martin, assistant superintendent of facilities and operations. “It can’t get cooler than it is outside.”

Air-conditioned gyms also will provide a better learning environment on air quality alert days, when students are not permitted to be outside during physical education classes, Seewald said. On those days, or days when it is raining, there can be as many as six classes or almost 200 students sharing a gym, which can make a hot gym even hotter, she said.

In addition, with obesity becoming a nationwide epidemic, physical fitness is becoming more important than ever, Seewald said.

“Students will enjoy physical activity and be encouraged to participate more if they’re comfortable,” she said.

The proposal to air condition middle and high school gyms is part of a $692.67 million bond package that will go before voters May 12. Early voting will be held April 30–May 8.

For a detailed list of proposed projects and for more information about School Bond 2007, visit http://bond.nisd.net.