WHEREAS     the Public Schools Branch should be concerned with reducing the carbon footprint of PEI schools, and the energy savings cost of heating island schools, (The Energy Star, 2019), and

WHEREAS     schools are being heated during unoccupied times, (CBC News, 2007), and in unnecessary places such as gyms, and

WHEREAS     island schools are being overheated to the point that windows are opened in the winter to let the excess heat out, (Government of Canada, 2023), and

WHEREAS     costs savings on heat could be used for much needed cooling systems in PEI schools due to climate change, (PSB Policies and Procedures, 2024), and

WHEREAS     data supports that student performance on numbered and language tests improved when the heat was reduced from 77 – 68 °F or 25-20 °C (Regional Educational Laboratory Program, 2018), and

WHEREAS     staff and students can dress for the temperature instead of the Public Schools Branch incurring the costs of overheated schools, and

WHEREAS     UPEI has established standards of heating and cooling temperatures for both occupied and unoccupied spaces for both comfort and improved energy efficiency. (University of Prince Edward Island, 2024), and

WHEREAS    the PEI Public Schools Branch does not currently have a policy on the regulation of heat in PEI schools;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the PEI Home and School Federation request the Prince Edward Island Public Schools Branch conduct a survey, which includes infrastructure capabilities, to determine the temperature of PEI schools during occupied and unoccupied times and consider a governed temperature reduction at 20 °C in every school to reduce heating costs, overall operating expenses, energy emissions and optimize the learning comfort for students and staff.

REFERENCES:

CBC News., (2007). School boards wary of heating costs. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/school-boards-wary-of-heating-costs-1.648293

Energy Guidelines. University of Prince Edward Island. Retrieved January 27, 2024, from https://www.upei.ca/office-vice-president-administration-and-finance/facilities/sustainability/energy-guidelines

Government of Canada., (2019, May 27). Energy benchmarking for K-12 schools.. The Energy Star. Retrieved January 27, 2024, from https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy-efficiency/energy-star-canada/energy-star-for-buildings/energy-benchmarking-energy-star-portfolio-manager-for-specific-bu/energy-benchmarking-for-k-12-schools/3745

Government of Canada., (2023, June 13). Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety. Retrieved January 17, 2024, from https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/temp_legislation.html

PSB Policies and Procedures. Public Schools Branch. Retrieved January 27, 2024, from https://psb.edu.pe.ca/policies

Regional Educational Laboratory Program., (2018, November 1). Optimal Classroom Temperature to Support Student Learning. Retrieved January 27, 2024, from https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/west/Ask/Details/64