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District outlines extreme-heat thresholds, psychrometer readings and portable AC deployment
Summary
Facilities staff described a summer plan for extreme heat: precautions at 82°F, relocations at 88°F when practical per a 2024 amendment; staff trained on psychrometer use, cafeterias will be relief spaces, and portable AC units and 400 tons of high-school cooling will be prioritized.
Facilities staff told the committee the district is implementing measures to respond to extreme-heat days consistent with a 2024 amendment to the safety plan and state guidance.
Under the guidance discussed at the meeting, staff said precautions are triggered at 82°F (turning off lights, closing shades, reducing electronics), and at 88°F students and staff can be relocated to cooler "core spaces" when practical. Facilities staff noted the amendment specifies temperature measurement with a psychrometer placed three feet off the floor; the district has 3D-printed mounts and trained school teams on the device's use.
To provide relief rooms, staff plan to deploy multiple portable air-conditioning units and fans in affected elementary cafeterias and said they have "between 30 and 40 portable air conditioning units" on hand with plans to expand that inventory. At the high school they said recent improvements provide roughly 400 tons of cooling capacity that can be prioritized to upper-floor zones (upper G and upper H) that historically run hottest.
Facilities staff described custodial training and an operational playbook for early deployment; they told the committee they prefer to set up units ahead of heat waves and not wait until the 82°F trigger in some cases. Committee members asked about window film and exterior shading strategies; staff said some exterior film is restricted by code (visibility for first responders) and recommended exploring solar fins, tree plantings, and reflective roof options at committee meetings such as OACM.
No policy vote occurred during the session; staff asked the board to approve procurement and to support planned deployments in advance of summer heat.
