HOUSTON – As Houston deals with another day of sweltering, humid heat, a high school confirmed it is experiencing air conditioning issues.
Heights High School dismissed its students early Monday after the school dealt with air conditioning problems throughout the school day.
It’s unclear how severe the issues are, but Houston ISD confirmed the district is working to address its air conditioning problems.
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Sky 2 was also above the school, where dozens of students were also seen outside.
“The district is aware of the issue. HVAC technicians will are working on the issue,” HISD said in a written statement. “District staff are monitoring temperature readings. Spot coolers will be transported and installed where necessary. If equipment requires extensive repairs an emergency vendor will be dispatched to assist.”
HISD released the following statement addressing the early dismissal on behalf of the school’s principal, Wendy Hampton:
Our campus is currently experiencing ongoing issues with the air conditioning system. The District’s HVAC team is actively working to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.
To ensure student comfort and safety, we have temporarily relocated students to cooler areas on campus. We are waiting for the arrival of spot coolers that were ordered earlier today when the malfunction was identified.
At this time, we have made the decision to close school early. Transportation has been arranged for an early dismissal. Parents and guardians who are able to pick up their children are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.
For families unable to make immediate arrangements, please rest assured that we are taking every possible measure to keep students safe and comfortable until they can be picked up.
HISD recently posted a video online highlighting the efforts of its digital controls team, which monitors HVAC systems across schools. HISD Chief Operations Officer Alishia Jolivette explained the process for monitoring HVAC systems.
“The process for monitoring HVAC, our DCT, our digital controls team arrives onsite at 4:30 a.m. to check all of our systems to ensure that they are running smoothly,” Jolivette said. “If they find any exceptions, they send those issues over to our maintenance directors in each of our divisions. HVAC technicians, as well as our building services managers, will address the chillers that are not performing properly.”
Jolivette noted that building services managers are being trained to reset the chillers. If they cannot resolve the issues, they escalate the problems to maintenance directors, who then dispatch HVAC teams to investigate further.
At Eliot Elementary, students were seen using fans and paper fans to stay cool in classrooms where air conditioning was insufficient.
Delilah Sanchez, a student at Eliot, shared her experience. “It feels very hard; like today it didn’t work, and some people in my classroom, they felt they kept throwing up, some almost passed out, so they had to go to the nurse and then came home because they felt very sick,” she said.
When asked how long the heat has been an issue, Sanchez responded, “Almost for like the whole year.”
Another student remarked, “Outside it feels better than inside.”
The district proposed a bond last year aimed at fixing the HVAC infrastructure, but it did not pass. In light of the ongoing challenges, HISD has stated that if the problems worsen, they will hire an emergency vendor to make necessary repairs.
HISD has been contacted for further information regarding how many schools are affected and what long-term solutions are being considered. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
This isn’t the first time KPRC 2 has reported on HISD campuses experiencing air conditioning issues.
In fact, around this time last year, shortly after the derecho knocked out power to much of the Houston area, many parents were infuriated by Superintendent Mike Miles’ decision to reopen campuses despite the lack of air conditioning at various schools. One of them also included Heights High School.
“Essentially, we were lied to,” one parent, Amanda Pappas told KPRC 2 back in May 2024, saying the district forced schools to open.
However, Miles has acknowledged the seriousness of upgrading air conditioning systems at many campuses, which was included in the bond proposal that ultimately failed.
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