"Our number one priority is having kids in school," Williams said. "But we also need to make sure that they are comfortable and that they are safe when they are at school."
University Park Elementary is an old school; the "new" addition was built in the 1940s. It is one of 88 buildings within Denver Public Schools that does not have central air conditioning. Last summer, students and parents complained that the heat was simply overbearing in some classrooms.
"It's usually quite hot," Sarah Smith, a third grade teacher at University Park Elementary, said. "It's so warm that their cheeks get bright red. Our kids get super tired, a lot of yawning, a lot of putting our heads down on desks especially in the afternoon."
Sam Nederveld is a third grader who says some days are difficult.
"A little hotter than I'd like it," Sam said.
His classmate, Eliza Gilburt, says after gym class, the classroom is very uncomfortable.
"I feel like I'm getting a fever," Eliza said.
Next year, principals will have the power to avoid those sweltering afternoons. Williams will be able to call for an early dismissal day as late as 5 p.m. the night before if it looks like the next day will be extra hot.
"It is nice as a school community that we would have the option to come up with our own specific criteria ahead of time as to what extreme weather condition that would lead us to making such a decision," Williams said.
Some parents worry about having to make child care arrangements on such short notice. Nancy Waanders has a daughter in kindergarten.
"It would be difficult to arrange for other provisions," Waanders said.
Waanders says she would have to consider taking off work or calling her parents to watch her daughter.
"I know for so many other parents, they have to work and to find other arrangements would be very difficult," Waanders said.
Superintendent Tom Boasberg will enact this new policy effective for the 2012-2013 school year. The district has never granted this type of power to principals before.
"A one-size-fits-all approach is not the right approach here," Boasberg said. "We want our kids in school and it's truly only going to be exceptional circumstances where there is a risk to the health and safety of our kids."
Boasberg says the district has taken the heat issue very seriously. Next year's start date was already pushed back 10 days to Aug. 27 with hopes of reducing the chance of heat issues. Plus, Boasberg says the district is considering asking the voters to pass a bond issue to help cool the schools without air conditioning.
Last week, the Denver School Board reviewed three possible bond packages:
1. $11 million - Modest upgrades (portable fans, window air conditioning units, exhaust fans)
2. $25 million - Intermediate cooling measures (building-wide exhaust fans, evaporative coolers, window air conditioning units)
3. $350 million - Provide central air conditioning to all schools
If passed, each bond packages would raise property taxes at different levels for Denver residents.
"I think we need to invest, particularly in buildings that are too old to sustain a comfortable environment for learning," Waanders said.
Williams says she's happy to have another option in her back pocket to keep students cool and safe by calling for an early dismissal day.
"We do everything proactively we can," Williams said. "This would be an absolute last resort."
