Sweat dripped down the face of senior Viviane Harle as she left school after the first day, sitting in classes with no air conditioning. 

As described by principal Mark Robinson the pipes that regulate the water used for heating and cooling were damaged, affecting the air forced into the classrooms which ultimately resulted in the school being renovated this summer.

“When the campus was originally constructed, all of the water ran through a single circuit,” Robinson said. “Over time the pipes deteriorated so there [were] leaks that required us to take the system off-line to repair.”

As the school has gotten older, many of the appliances have worn out, resulting in the need for repairs to better improve the school environment.  

“Over the summer the pipes were replaced as preventative maintenance, and isolation valves installed so repairs could be made when necessary without impacting the whole campus,” Robinson said. 

The future of these renovations excited teachers and students who look forward to the regulated temperatures in the hallways. One being Money Matters, Graphic Design, and Intro to Arts and A/V teacher Jeni Garcia.

“I look forward to not strolling through sweaty halls or the equivalent of a meat locker during times of extreme temperatures,” Garcia said.

However, due to the unit being off-line over the summer there was conflict in some individual units around the campus when turned on. 

“Unfortunately having the entire system down all summer meant that individual units did not run in June and July,” Robinson said. “Therefore when we turned everything on in August, we learned that we had some that needed parts replaced before they would work.”

Students faced hot classrooms at the start of school and some problems have extended, leaving more than a few students unhappy.

“In my 8th period class it’s almost always boiling in there,” Harle said. “We all get sleepy in class and it’s just a moist, gross feeling.”

The classroom environment is a crucial learning component to a big portion of the student body and their ability to function.

“Everything from general mood to significant concerns like heat exhaustion is impacted,” Robinson said.

Sophomore Miranda Cardenas is one of the students who struggles with the inconsistency in the environment in her classes.

“In the hallways, it’s so humid, so stuffy,” Cardenas said. “It becomes a constant struggle to adapt to each classroom all while attempting to perform well.”

The first phase had been an impactful experience and has helped to determine the needed work remaining.  

 “We took the opportunity to begin the work this summer, knowing that there is more to be done,” Robinson said.

More repairs are being undergone for everyone still being affected by the crazy temperatures in classes.

“When I was walking in class and it was not hotter in the classroom than it was in the hallways, I knew the AC was most likely fixed,” Harle said. 

The project started over the summer and will continue throughout the next few school years until the temperatures can be tolerated.

“At the completion of this three-phase project, we are in hopes that HVAC issues will be minimal on a day to day basis,” Robinson said.