The Clark County School Board is considering a proposal to allocate over $5 million for the repair of its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. This initiative aims to prevent the recurrence of overheated classrooms that disrupted learning last summer. Currently, 37 schools are operating with HVAC systems that have exceeded their expected lifespan, rendering some classrooms “unusable” and causing a loss in instructional time.
The need for repairs was highlighted in a presentation by Brandon McLaughlin, assistant superintendent of the construction and development division, and Stephen Molina, coordinator IV of the department. They noted that excessive heat and overtaxed equipment last summer pushed many HVAC systems beyond their limits, resulting in failures.
The project, estimated to cost nearly $5.2 million, is scheduled for completion over the upcoming summer. This follows a previous summer marked by record-breaking heat and significant air conditioning issues. U.S. Rep. Dina Titus emphasized the importance of addressing extreme heat, which she noted impacts education. Last August, she advocated for solutions to mitigate the heat’s effects on students.
Vicki Kreidel, president of the National Education Association of Southern Nevada, also pointed out that broken air conditioning was a widespread concern in the district. She stressed that uncomfortable students are more distracted, and ignoring these issues could lead to further problems in schools.