To Save Schools Money Teachers Can No Longer Have Appliances in Classrooms

The budget crisis has Oklahoma schools cutting costs every way possible.

Tuesday, August 17th 2010, 3:28 pm

By: News 9


By Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The budget crisis has Oklahoma schools cutting costs every way possible.

The Oklahoma City Public School district has a detailed plan to save $1 million in utility bills.

Teachers are no longer allowed to have personal appliances in the classroom, such as coffee makers, refrigerators, and microwaves.

"Use the coffee maker that's in the teacher's lounge versus your own little two cup coffee maker within your classroom," said Bob Cervi, the Oklahoma City Public Schools Director of Maintenance.

Also, when a classroom is not occupied, the lights must be turned off and air conditioners will be turned off just before the school day is over and ceiling fans will be used more often.

"The use of the ceiling fans that we have in this room is a huge cost savings because it keeps the room cooler. The unit doesn't have to come on as much and you have airflow," said the OKCPS Director of Maintenance.

The district's director of maintenance has been visiting schools to make sure AC and heating units are in tip top shape.

"Every time we save money in utility costs and these types of means, that's a teacher that you get to keep in the classroom," said Cervi. "Not having a coffee maker or turning the lights off becomes a real easy choice when you look at the very difficult decisions the district has had to make."

Some Oklahoma City public school teachers are not happy about some of the changes. One teacher emailed NEWS 9 saying "We are already underpaid and not being allowed to have appliances in the classroom is degrading."

Edmond Public Schools have adopted a new policy. The district is now charging teachers $30 to have a refrigerator or fan in their room and $15 for low use appliances such as lamps.

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