District 204 teachers get rewarded for beating heat

Indian Prairie Unit District 204 teachers who put up with hot classrooms got a hot lunch for their trouble.

The school district spent about $9,800 this fall on gift certificates for all faculty and staff in the 19 elementary schools that do not have air conditioning.

Roughly 1,400 employees received $7 gift certificates to Panera Bread.

"The gift card was a small acknowledgment of appreciation to our teachers for the extra care and attention they provided to students while continuing to focus on instruction during some challenging days," Nancy Pedersen, assistant superintendent for human resources, said via e-mail.

At the beginning of the school year, temperatures in some classrooms ranged from the 80s to the 90s, according to a report Jay Strang, director of buildings and grounds, gave the school board in mid-September.

Owen and Peterson are the only elementary schools that have air conditioning.

Valerie Dranias, teachers union president, said the temperatures in the classrooms made it difficult for both students and teachers to concentrate.

"It was a very nice gesture," she said of the gift cards. "They understand it was not easy."

The gift cards were purchased using district funds. Superintendent Stephen Daeschner said staff handled the heat well and deserved a reward for the inconvenience.

"It wasn't that much," he said. "And we thought with whatever they put up with, it was very appropriate."