SAN ANTONIO – Heating, ventilation and air conditioning issues are persisting in some San Antonio Independent School District classrooms, according to tips received by KSAT.
Classrooms were warm for students and teachers at Brackenridge Elementary School on Tuesday, the tips say.
Other sources said some parents picked up their students early from Ogden Elementary on Monday because an HVAC system was unable to keep classrooms cool.
>>> TIMELINE: San Antonio ISD heating and cooling issues
The district’s chief communications officer, Laura Short, shared the statement below regarding the issues:
“Ogden Elementary yesterday experienced a brief period during which their system was down, and it was resolved the same day. We are not aware of classes being held outside or parents choosing to pick up their children early for this reason.
Today, the second floor of J.T. Brackenridge Elementary also experienced a brief period when their system was down. It too was resolved the same day, which was today.
We follow a priority system in our maintenance requests, and both of these schools received immediate attention to ensure temperatures did not exceed 79 degrees.”
Laura Short, SAISD's Chief Communications Officer
Texas State Rep. Diego Bernal (D-San Antonio), who has several SAISD schools in his district and whose daughter attends an SAISD school, said he understands that maintaining older buildings continues to be a challenge.
“All districts need more money for students, teachers and facilities,” Bernal said. “While some will fall on districts and their bonds, the states has the responsibility to step in.”
>> San Antonio ISD scrambling to keep up with heating problems in schools
On Jan. 17, 2024, SAISD experienced “systemic failures” in its heating system, leading to the temporary closure of 98 schools because classrooms could not maintain adequate temperatures.
“Many of us have plans and bills to (address the issue), but whether or not the state does is a matter of political will by leadership,” Bernal said. “We have the money — if they wanted it to happen, it would, or it will.”
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