As hotter weather puts more strain on aging school buildings, Virginia's Henrico County Public School system says it is expanding its HVAC workforce and reworking how it approaches maintenance, according to WWBT.
Some school board members describe the AC issues as manageable even as teachers reported classrooms reaching 85 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, making it nearly impossible for students to focus.
Here's what to know
Greg Dunaway, Henrico County Public Schools' director of operations, told the school board that the division wants its facilities team spending more time preventing HVAC breakdowns, as reported by WWBT.
HCPS currently has six full-time HVAC technicians after adding five positions and is still trying to fill nine more openings.
The update follows complaints from across the division. Henrico County officials explained to the outlet that a whopping 70 schools across the system had logged an HVAC issue since students returned in August. HCPS said it was aware of issues at only 18 schools.
Alicia Atkins, a board member representing the Varina District, noted growing issues affecting many communities with older infrastructure.
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"A lot of the buildings that are occupied now by our students and staff were designed for weather trends that we've grown beyond, if you will, and so those systems have a harder time keeping up," Atkins said. "So when we're replacing each factor, are we replacing for yesterday's climate or tomorrow's?"
The fallout related to the schools' HVAC troubles has included early dismissals, school cancellations, and families scrambling to find childcare.
The public schools are also competing against significantly higher private-sector pay for electricians, plumbers, and HVAC workers. HCPS said it cannot always match private wages, but it is trying to remain flexible within its current pay ranges.
Where can I learn more?
People are finding in many places that HVAC upgrades can provide a whole lot of good.
• Health experts say upgrading home HVAC systems can cut indoor pollution tied to gas appliances.
• In New England, installers say heat pumps now dominate much of their residential HVAC business.
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