Shaw Heights gets air conditioning after summer upgrades; board praises facilities work

Board members and the superintendent praised summer construction that added air conditioning and other upgrades at Shaw Heights Middle School and Tennyson Knowles Prep, saying the improvements changed classroom conditions on the first days of the 2025–26 school year.

"For the first time ever, heat wasn't a problem at Shaw," Superintendent Doctor Gatto said during his report. He described new flooring and other building improvements and said teachers and students responded positively to the changes.

Board member Dan specifically thanked operations and auxiliary services staff and named staff members including Nick McCoy and Don Chancho for their work on Shaw. Several board members said improved facilities support instructional focus and help students and teachers perform better.

No formal facilities action was taken at the Aug. 26 meeting; board comments came during the superintendent's report and subsequent board discussion.