Frigid temperatures plague Science Building classrooms

Frozen-fingered students and teachers report the temperature in the Science Building to be significantly colder than the rest of the school — the Science Building installed a new heat circulation pump after the old pump broke over winter break, but many are still experiencing the frigidity.According to M-House Principal Stephen Franklin, who is in charge of the maintenance of the building, district maintenance workers began to address the issue during winter break.“Initially, it was thought the heat circulation pump could be repaired, but due to age it was determined that it had to be replaced,” Franklin said. “Since installing the new pump, the challenge has been trying to regulate the various classrooms to a temperature that is consistent throughout the building.”The temperature in the Science Building, however, has still posed problems.“It is awful,” Alexandra Santini (’15) said. “My teacher told us that she sent complaints to the faculty and that they were supposed to fix it, but this was last week and nothing has changed. It is so cold that we have to bring gloves just so our hands won’t go numb while Ms. Song lectures and huddles around a heater.”AP Biology and Physiology teacher Kate Song also said that the break has resulted in poor health conditions.“When I am in my AM class, temperatures must be below 50 degrees — I cannot feel my fingers,” Song said. “Noses are running and kids are in the fetal position trying to keep warm.”Chemistry teacher Ayanna Pantallion said that this was not the first time that the Science Building has dealt with cold climate.“Since I have been teaching in this particular building for the past five years, there has always been a problem with climate control during the colder months,” Pantallion said. “I [have] learned to bring my own space heater from home.  It is still quite uncomfortable despite the use of a small heater.”According to Franklin, the challenge is getting all the classrooms in the Science Building to roughly the same temperature.“The thermostats were set for 68-72 degrees, but due to continued complaints the thermostats have been readjusted to 70-74 degrees,” Franklin said.“Due to the age of the Science building, and all of its systems, regulating temperatures is proving to be quite difficult.”Franklin said that the administration is looking forward to fixing the problem once and for all.“We are trying to get through this difficulty, and are looking forward, now more than ever, to moving into the new Science and Technology Building,” Franklin said.mytarr@thesamohi.com