District, PTAs Teaming Up to Add A/C in Schools

Montville Township's five elementary schools and middle school could be a bit cooler next school year.

The school district plans to install air-conditioning in some classrooms at all of the elementary schools and at Lazar Middle School, with PTAs pledging to contribute a significant amount toward the cost, district business administrator James Tevis said.

The district plans to pay around $125,000 while the PTAs plan to donate $158,000, he said.

Officials were still working to finalize which classrooms would be air-conditioned and construction dates, he said.

The district previously has considered accepting a PTA gift of an air conditioner at one school. The Board of Education worried such donations could lead to uneven comfort levels among the five elementary schools and that air conditioning discrepancies in particular could be a hot button issue.