Texas Company Helps Bement Students, Teachers

The elementary school in Bement was among the schools in the region that had to send students home early during a recent heat wave.

But students at Bement Elementary came to class this week to find a surprise - the hum of air conditioners in their classrooms.

Wink Chapman is a vice president at Friedrich Air Conditioning Company in San Antonio, Texas. After someone at his business saw an Associated Press story about schools lacking air conditioning, the company donated eight window units to Bement.

School Superintendent Sheila Greenwood says the air conditioners are a blessing for the school and financially struggling district. The situation is bad enough that it is considering closing the local high school.

Fourth-grade teacher Shelly Ellis says her students were thrilled by the news.