Nutley board approves short-term HVAC repairs after parents report overheating classrooms

The Nutley Public School District board approved proposals for short-term HVAC repairs and interim cooling measures after a string of parent complaints about overheating classrooms at Washington and Lincoln schools.

Parents who spoke during public comment described children arriving home with stomach aches and said staff recorded classroom temperatures as high as the low 80s. "I had to pick up my kids early because they were nauseous," said parent Jennai Romany, who asked the board for clearer timelines and transparency around repairs. Romany urged prompt action to avoid repeated classroom disruptions.

District facilities staff told the board the geothermal systems at Washington and Lincoln were installed around 2007 and have experienced recurring failures over recent years. "After nearly 20 years of service, both systems have reached the end of their expected useful life," said Mike Piggy, the district's director of facilities. Piggy described common failures that include low refrigerant, failed master control boards and compressor failures, and said current repairs are intended as short-term solutions.

Business Administrator Michael Dvita told the board contractors will begin repair work once purchase orders are issued, and that the vendor will provide delivery dates and start times. "If the purchase orders are approved, the vendor will update us on delivery and start schedules," Dvita said.

Administrators and parents both noted interim measures already in place: four classrooms at Washington received new air-conditioner/heater units installed in-house to provide backup while larger repairs proceed.

Board members emphasized that a full system replacement would be far more expensive and would likely require a public funding process. Officials said engineering estimates to replace the entire systems range widely; administrators said such a project could require a bond referendum and extensive planning. "A complete replacement remains necessary to ensure long-term reliability," Piggy said, but added that a replacement would need architects, engineers, cost estimates and, likely, a public vote.

During the finance committee and subsequent roll-call votes, the board approved finance resolutions that included proposals for HVAC repairs and related summer projects. In roll call recorded in the meeting, the motions to approve the listed administration, academic and finance resolutions passed.

What happens next: the board authorized short-term repair contracts and ordered the district to issue purchase orders; parents asked for regular updates on timelines and outcomes. The board said it would pursue vendor schedules and consider grant opportunities the public forwards, while acknowledging district budget constraints and recently increased insurance and utility costs that limit near-term capital spending.