Baltimore Teachers' Union ask for fan donations in anticipation for hot weather

By Staff Reporter
Posted on 08/13/19 | News Source: WBAL

Baltimore City teachers have placed an important item on their back to school wish list: Portable fans. 

And they're asking the public to help pay for them.

At last check, there were close to 60 Baltimore City school buildings without air conditioning. That alone was enough reason for the teacher's union to take matters into its own hands.

Anticipating a repeat of last year when hot temperatures forced the city to close schools, the Baltimore Teachers' Union is turning to a cool solution.

The goal is to pick up at least 500 fans. It's a drive that began late last week. Teachers said the help can't come soon enough.

"All I can focus on is feeling that sweat just coming out and I look over at the kid and they're sweating, and all we want to do is take a break and get some water and open the window," Brittany Johnson, a Baltimore City school counselor, said. 

Even though school officials won't talk about the fan drive, it said it does have a long-term plan to cool down as well as heat up classrooms. To do that, the district is installing hundreds of vertical package units at around $20,000 a piece.

"They're self-contained units that provide heating and cooling as well as code required ventilation and they go into all the classrooms. All of the elementary schools and a lot of the classrooms in the high schools," said Cynthian Smith, director of facilities, designs and construction Baltimore City Schools.

In the meantime, the teachers' union is hoping the public can pitch in to help buy fans sooner rather than later.

"Your biggest concern is the students and how they feel. It's like if I am trying to teach right now, how do they feel trying to learn?" said Leilani Jones, of Baltimore City school teacher. 

The union has set up a donation page on its website.

WBAL-TV 11 was told the union's fan drive will last at least until mid-September.

To learn more about the teacher's union fan drive and to check on the progress Baltimore City is making toward installing air conditioners, click here.