Nov. 2, 2008 — Students and staff members can report back Monday morning to John H. Woodson Junior High School for a full day of classes, according to Education Commissioner La Verne Terry.
Starting Thursday, classes were let out early after teachers staged a walkout over the school's conditions, particularly the lack of air conditioning in many classrooms. (See "Woodson To Open For Half-Day Sessions Only.")
Significant progress was made over the weekend to fix the situation, Terry said in a news release issued Sunday evening. Of the 48 classrooms at Woodson without air conditioning, 33 have been identified as "priority rooms" and have now been equipped with exhaust fans, she said.
The fans, which were installed over the weekend, will help remove warm air in the classrooms, Terry said. Exhaust fans will also be installed in six of the 15 remaining classrooms after students are dismissed Monday afternoon.
Several standing fans have also been purchased. Education's long-term goal, which will be completed in phases, is to upgrade the school's electrical system and have Woodson completely air conditioned, Terry said.
Starting Monday morning, maintenance staff will also install additional water coolers throughout the school, according to the news release. Maintenance staff have also been working around campus on landscaping, along with clearing out gutters and removing debris from storm drains.
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