by Jose Gomez

Air conditioners came to the third floor of Woodbridge High School in late August, saving students and teachers from the heat of September and June. After decades of extremely high temperatures during the summer months, the problem is finally resolved. The improvement came from months of planning and installation. The Barron Perspective sat down with Principal Lottmann to get the full story.

Barron Perspective: Where did the decision to put air conditioning on the third floor come from?
Principal Lottmann: Well, when I was teaching, years ago, at Woodbridge High, I had great friends who were English teachers and I always remember how, in September, late May, and all of June, they would just say how it’s basically torture to go upstairs… When I became principal a few years ago, I realized how hot it really does get up there. I don’t know if you remember the beginning of last year, how hot it was for those first two weeks… with no circulation, you could almost cook an egg on the [third] floor. So that’s when I vowed I got to do whatever has to be done in order to get air conditioning. So, through proper budgeting and just talking to who needed to be addressed, we were able to upgrade the electric on the third floor and we bought all the air conditioning units needed. Now, hopefully English teachers, as well as students, can enjoy a less hot atmosphere.

BP: How long did that take?
PL: All summer, and they did a great job in that they started right after graduation. We bought some air conditioners so they were already sitting in storage, but I think I was short four. So four came in late August, and I felt bad for the four teachers who wouldn’t have air conditioning on the first day of school, but the electricians and carpenters in our district must have worked over labor day weekend because, on the first day of school, they were in.

BP: How did the teachers react?
PL: Oh, the English teachers actually threw a party. I want to say [September 28th], where it was a welcoming the air conditioning party. So it was very nice, I went up there and they said, “Thank you, Mr. Lottmann, Mr. Connelly, and Mr. Chiera,” because it wasn’t just me who made the decision, it was a lot of people who realized this has to get done.

BP: So what happened at the party? What kind of party was it?
PL: Actually, I think the English Department has a party every month, and I think they really just want to find a theme. They were just happy. All the teachers brought in food and we were invited up. It was just their way of showing gratitude and thanks for giving what, I think, all teachers deserve. Eventually, my goal is to get 100% of our rooms with air conditioning.

BP: So is there anything else you would like to add?
PL: I hope the English Department, as well as every student, since every student takes English in this school, is able to enjoy the better temperature and that it makes for a more meaningful experience when they’re in English class.