HOUSTON – After classes were dismissed early on Monday for some Houston ISD students because of a faulty air conditioning system, the district is sending out its HVAC teams early Tuesday morning to ensure campuses are cooling properly.
PREVIOUS: Heights High School dismisses early after dealing with A/C issues during Houston heatwave
The district says those HVAC teams were out between 4:30 a.m. - 5 a.m. Tuesday morning. KPRC 2’s T.J. Parker confirmed with the district their air conditioning systems are back up and running. Parents were also seen dropping off their children at the school with no issues.
This comes after Heights High School had to send students home early due to the faulty air conditioning systems. Sky 2 was also above the school on Monday morning, where dozens of students were also seen in the courtyard, opening windows
Heights HS wasn’t the only school having problems Monday, however; Eliot Elementary had issues, as well, but students there weren’t released early, but they were seen carrying fans and holding paper fans to stay cool in classrooms with low A/C.
Back at Heights High School, one picture showed it was 82-degrees inside. And in a press conference earlier in the year, HISD superintendent Mike Miles said 82 degrees was the threshold
“We look at 82 degrees to be too hot,” he said. “It’s not dangerous… but it’s too hot for a kid to concentrate or a teacher to teach well.
MORE: Will slim rain chances give Houston a much-needed break from the heat?
The district adds that if the problems get worse, they’ll hire an emergency vendor to make repairs.
KPRC 2 news has reached out to HISD asking how many schools are impacted and what the long-term solutions are, and once we hear back, we will update this story.
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 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.
MORE: Houston ISD approved $2M to campaign for the massive failed bond. Was it legal?
However, Miles has acknowledged the seriousness of upgrading air conditioning systems at many campuses, which was included in the bond proposal that ultimately failed.