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Parents say Waco Elementary classrooms lack working air conditioning; district pledges update
Summary
Parents told the Socorro ISD board that multiple Waco Elementary classrooms have nonfunctioning HVAC units despite funded repairs; district said parts delays are the primary issue and pledged a status update, citing a 4–6 week timeline for some repairs.
A parent told the Socorro Independent School District board on Aug. 20 that multiple classrooms at Waco Elementary have been operating without functioning air-conditioning for more than two years, and that teachers have relied on portable units while students endured high indoor temperatures. The parent asked the board to provide a transparent timeline and regular updates for repairs.
The complaint matters because the parent said extreme heat and poor indoor air quality are disrupting learning and posing health risks for students and staff. The parent said five classrooms remain without working units and cited the district’s mechanical supervisor as estimating a four- to six-week timeline to complete repairs for outstanding work orders.
During the meeting, Superintendent Guillermo Vasquez confirmed the maintenance department is working on the issue and said parts availability is the major constraint. He said the district would provide an update identifying which schools and classrooms are affected and the status of needed parts and portable units. Vasquez also thanked maintenance and campus staff for their work.
Board members and speakers framed the problem as both an operational issue (repair parts and scheduling) and a communications issue (parents want notice and transparency). The parent asked for short-term accommodations (multiple portable units paid for by the district rather than teachers), a public timeline, and long-term infrastructure planning such as preventative maintenance and modernization.
The district did not adopt a new policy or vote on funding at the meeting; instead, district staff agreed to follow up with a campus-level status report and timeline. The transcript records the commitment to provide the requested update to the board and community.
Residents who want updates may contact the district; the board indicated it will include follow-up information in upcoming communications and work with maintenance to report specific classroom repairs and parts needs.
