Prong 1: Organize support for A-1411 and S-565.
- Organize an education campaign for staff and parents about the bill. Pay special attention to potential allies listed above.
- Contact Sen. Teresa Ruiz, chair of the Senate Education Committee, and Asm. Patrick Diegnan, chair of the Assembly Education Committee, and ask them to post the bill for consideration as soon as possible. When contacting legislators, it is very helpful to note personal experiences that illustrate the need for this legislation.
- Meet with administrators and board members in your district to explain measures that the district can implement. Explain the advantages of A-1411 and S-565 and ask for their support in supporting the legislation.
- Testify about problems with temperatures in your district’s schools when public hearings are held.
- Contact the bill sponsors, and ask them to make the legislation a priority in the education committees of their respective houses: Asm. Upendra Chivukula, Angel Fuentes and Thomas Giblin, and Sens. Bob Smith, Shirley Turner, Jennifer Beck, Donald Norcross and Fred Madden. Contact information can be found at www.njleg.state.nj.us.
Prong 2. Get it in the contract. Work with your UniServ field rep to develop contract language.
- Repair and ongoing maintenance of the HVAC system.
- Seek a provision for moving staff and students from areas outside the limits of 63 and 89 F, when the HVAC system is not functioning adequately and closing of the school when such movement is not feasible.
- Permanent temperature and humidity monitoring system so building operators can adjust the HVAC system.
- Solar film on windows, skylights, glass walls, etc.
- Exterior awnings and shades or shade trees.
- Reflective window shades and blinds.
- Ceiling fans that are at least 8 feet high.
- Replacement windows that block the heat, known as “low-e” windows.
- Replace/coat roof with bright white or shiny material.
- Better thermostats with staff control.
- Air conditioning, using window or wall units, a central forced air system or unit ventilators that provide cooling as well as heat.