Q: Since moving here from Virginia, I’ve been baffled by the fact that many Cobb County School District buildings seem to be designed with an intent to minimize or eliminate windows in classrooms. What is the reason for this? All my old schools had ample windows in every room.

—Audrey Piekut-Thaiss, Marietta

A: Most the newer schools in the Cobb County School District have fewer windows because of three reasons, Jay Dillon, the director of communications for the district, told Q&A on the News in an email. They are:

  • It is more energy efficient.
  • Smaller and fewer windows reduce distractions.
  • Masonry construction costs less per square foot than window units.

“I don’t believe Cobb’s schools are that unique from other districts,” Dillon wrote.

Q: I know first class mail will not be delivered on Saturdays starting in August, but what about outgoing first class mail? If I have my mailbox flag up to send out a greeting card or last-minute bill payment, will the mailman take it?

—M.K. Youngdale, Woodstock

A: There will be no collection of outgoing mail from homes on Saturdays, beginning in August, a spokesman with the United States Postal Service told Q&A on the News in an email. Only packages will be delivered to home addresses on Saturdays. Mail will be delivered to post office boxes, and post offices currently open on Saturdays will remain open. The move is expected to save the post office $2 billion a year.

Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).

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