PHOENIX -- "We hope you rule on the side of caution if there's a single doubt in your mind there's a health risk you would vote in favor of correcting this problem."

That was the plea to the State Facilities Board from staff, parents, and the superintendent.

They said that the students ability to  learn and the staff's ability to  teach is being seriously hampered by a problem with the schools outdated ventilation system. The Tempe Union School District does not have the $17 million dollars needed to fix it. According to an environmental consulting firm, the ventilation system has contributed to elevated levels of carbon dioxide at Corona del Sol school. The state has refused to give the district emergency funds for the repairs, and on Thursday that refusal was upheld.

The State Facilities Board says that there was no indication in that report that there was any emergency seriously affecting health and  function of the school.

But students and parents beg to differ. The superintendent says the district will continue working on creating better ventilation at the school, but he's equally frustrated with the board's decision, and says that the school's situation is indeed an emergency.