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Trustees press district on AC vandalism and relief as classrooms hit 80+ degrees
Summary
After vandalism disabled dozens of HVAC units, trustees pressed staff for immediate solutions. District said temporary 1.25‑ton units are in place but underperform; permanent replacements timelines vary by site and the board discussed alternative cooling and testing contingencies.
Trustees spent a sustained portion of the March 24 meeting focused on widespread HVAC vandalism that left dozens of classrooms without full cooling as an early heat wave pushed some rooms into the 80s.
Trustee McCutcheon described messages from parents and staff: "those classrooms are getting 80 degrees ... 86," she said, pressing the district for alternative options while permanent replacements are procured. District maintenance staff said 37 units were affected and estimated about 32 occupied classrooms were impacted. They explained the procurement challenge and provided site‑by‑site timelines for permanent installations: Muir units scheduled for immediate installation; Stowell mid‑next week; Franklin estimated 6–8 weeks; Stephanie about 8–10 weeks; Crookshank 12–14 weeks for larger units.
Staff described temporary measures now in place: rental 1.25‑ton temporary units (which can underperform in extreme heat), relocating classes to multipurpose rooms with working systems, delivering extra water, and evaluating other options. Maintenance staff cautioned that larger industrial rental units are too noisy and would disrupt instruction, and that many classrooms lack the electrical amperage to support multiple split units without upgrades.
Trustees demanded clearer contingency protocols for when a classroom reaches unsafe temperatures, including alternative testing arrangements for state assessments. Staff said testing windows have flexibility and contingency plans could be implemented to move testing within the allowed window or to alternative locations.
The board voted to approve the consent slate (items G, I, L pulled for separate discussion) and later approved the pulled items by roll call. Staff said they will continue seeking short‑term fixes while pursuing longer term replacements.
Why it matters: Heat in classrooms affects health and learning; trustees pressed district leaders for actionable contingency plans ahead of testing dates and hotter months.
Next steps: staff will continue to pursue faster temporary cooling options where feasible, post site‑by‑site delivery dates in the board packet, and research any health/safety protocols that should trigger relocation of students or special testing accommodations.
