When heating and cooling systems are unable to perform at peak performance, it can be difficult to maintain a comfortable temperature. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
In Houston’s oldest schools, chipped paint isn’t the only sign of age—it’s the sweltering classrooms when air conditioning breaks down. As summers continue to get hotter, with Houston still having high temperatures well into September, multiple campuses in Houston ISD will now see upgrades to its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, as well as roofing upgrades to a select few.
The $40 million capital improvement program, with around $19 million going toward the HVAC improvements and the rest to roof upgrades, is being funded through a $120 million maintenance tax note (a tool school districts can use to cover maintenance expenses). Many of HISD’s campuses are over 50 years old, leading to deteriorating systems that can affect student learning. When heating and cooling systems are unable to perform at peak performance, it can be difficult to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Last year, several schools had air conditioning issues the first few days of class. One parent told KHOU: “My daughter actually texted me the first day of school. She actually asked me to try and pick her up early because it was so hot. It’s just not acceptable for a school of that size in a central community to not have work air conditioning.”
A recent Climate Central study found that most students in Houston face a higher risk of heat-related illness at school due to living in an extreme urban heat zone, which are primarily caused by climate change. While it can be difficult to keep students cool while outdoors, it becomes even more important to make sure they can adequately cool down while inside.
The schools getting HVAC improvements are:
- Lanier Middle School
- Black Middle School
- Elrod Elementary
- Heights High School
- Red Elementary
- St. George Place PK–5
- Benbrook Elementary
- Bonham Elementary
- Briarmeadow Charter
- Bush Elementary
- Cedar Brook Elementary
- Cunningham Elementary
- DeAnda Elementary
- Daily Elementary
- Durkee Elementary
- Foerster Elementary
- Gross Elementary
- Hinojosa Elementary
- Lyons Elementary
- Martinez Elementary
- McNamara Elementary
- Milne Elementary
- Northline Elementary
- Oak Forest Elementary
- Robinson Elementary
The HVAC improvements were originally slated to start in July and finish up in February, but the finish date has now been pushed to March.
