Montezuma-Cortez School District officials say aging cooling systems at three elementary schools could make classrooms uncomfortable during hot weather at the beginning of the school year.
The district recently notified Lewis-Arriola Elementary families that the school’s HVAC system could no longer consistently maintain comfortable temperatures during periods of excessive heat. The district said Mesa and Kemper elementary schools face similar problems.
Maintenance Director Ray Lopez said a cooling unit serving classrooms on the south side of Lewis-Arriola was repaired after the letter was sent. He said the unit was working at the time of the interview, but the district could not guarantee it would continue operating without problems.
Lopez said Kemper Elementary presents the greatest challenge because its older electrical system cannot support portable air conditioners in every classroom.
“The most challenging right now is going to be Kemper,” Lopez said. “They put two classrooms on one circuit, which is one breaker, and it’s a 20-amp breaker.”
Lopez said running portable air conditioners in both classrooms on the same circuit, along with other classroom equipment, would trip the breaker.
The district has purchased portable cooling units and plans to install them in classrooms where the electrical system can handle the additional demand. Staff may also open windows early in the morning, circulate cooler air through the buildings and relocate classes when possible.
Officials did not identify a firm indoor-temperature threshold that would trigger classroom relocation, early dismissal or another operational change. Lopez said teachers will report uncomfortable conditions to principals, who can then contact district maintenance staff.
Newer district buses have air conditioning in both the front and rear. Older buses do not have air conditioning and will instead rely on open windows and roof vents to circulate air.
“The right solution is a complete new unit,” Lopez said. “But I think it’s going to be warm.”
