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Facilities staff report fewer school HVAC dismissals so far this year; lifecycle replacements and funding pressures remain
Summary
Maintenance and life-cycle staff told the committee that targeted operational changes have reduced HVAC-related dismissals so far this year compared with the prior year, but aging chillers, mobile unit repairs and constrained funding for preventive maintenance and utilities remain pressing concerns.
Wake County Schools maintenance and life-cycle staff presented an HVAC operations and capital update, reporting a drop in school dismissals tied to HVAC failures so far this fiscal year but noting continuing risks from aging equipment, open work orders and budget pressures.
Tony from maintenance and a life-cycle representative said the district recorded 46 HVAC-related dismissals or cancellations across the previous school year; since July 1 the department reported one dismissal. Staff cautioned it is too early to call the reduction a trend but described operational changes intended to limit failures: prioritized work-order cleanup, staging contractors for rapid dispatch, seasonal technician assignments, cross-training of shop staff, and renewed preventive-maintenance (PM) contract funding for the year.
Staff gave a status snapshot: about 215 open chiller work orders affecting roughly 150 of 319 chiller machines, with 80 active work orders currently in progress. On mobile HVAC units, roughly 155 open work orders affect about 900 units (about 17% of the fleet); since July 1 district teams completed about 40 mobile-unit repairs. Staff also reported that roughly 38% of the district’s chillers are more than 15 years old and 58 chillers are over 20 years old, increasing the likelihood of repeat failures.
Life-cycle staff said fiscal-year 2025 work included 18 chiller replacements, several central energy-plant replacements that paired chiller swaps with boiler and hydronic-system work, and multiple building automation system replacements. Upcoming work includes additional chiller replacements, continued central energy-plant projects and standalone BAS replacements. Staffing additions in life-cycle were announced: a filled life-safety systems position and one new construction/HVAC role to handle boilers and light HVAC.
Board members asked where project and operating funds come from; staff said maintenance operates from the local operating budget and life-cycle projects are funded through the capital improvement program (CIP). Staff noted budget pressures: recent transfers to cover utilities shortfalls reduced available growth funding and rising contractor costs stretch existing budgets. Officials said they will provide a prioritized facility list on request and continue cross-training, PM funding and targeted vendor use to reduce emergency closures.
Trustees asked for a detailed, school-by-school status of urgent versus long-term HVAC needs; staff agreed to prepare additional reporting that highlights critical equipment, current replacement schedules and items that could change if an emergency replacement is required.
