Two weeks in August shined a heat lamp on a slew of maintenance issues facing Oklahoma City Public Schools, issues that compromised teaching and learning.

Cooling systems at two dozen district schools were on the fritz, causing temperatures to reach 90 degrees in some classrooms.

"It's unbelievably difficult to teach when you have to deal with a hot classroom," said Ed Allen, president of the Oklahoma City American Federation of Teachers. "And not just for teachers. It's hard for kids to focus when it's really hot.

"Most of our windows don't open any more, so there's no way to get the air moving in your room unless you start bringing in fans."