North Carolina school district needs $140 million HVAC repairs

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The Wake County Public School System continues to struggle to keep up with HVAC repairs.

Dozens of schools have been forced to close this year because of cooling issues. Over the last year, WCPSS maintenance workers received about 3,000 HVAC work orders.

It’s started to impact learning and teaching in classrooms.

“Not just students aren’t learning but her teacher working survey- she lost teachers because they’re in rooms that don’t have adequate heating and air,” Monika Johnson-Hostler, a WCPSS school board member, said during a facilities committee meeting.

She shared her frustrations with the board after hearing from principals in her district.

Officials said the district is working to make repairs, replacing parts and entire systems as needed. Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor knows they have a huge task ahead.

“That fix that we need, is not going to come in a short while – unless someone comes in and drops $300 million on the table and says ‘Use this to fix the HVAC’,” said Dr. Taylor.

According to maintenance staff, the district has about $140 million in HVAC needs today. They spend about $22 million a year on these fixes. At this rate, staff say it’ll take them 14 years to address all their needs.

Aside from the cost of repairs, vacancy rates for district maintenance staff are also making it hard to make repairs. District staff told school board members that HVAC technicians and other specialty technicians are in high demand and that remaining competitive with salaries is difficult.

“If we get into a bidding war with private industry, we’re going to lose that every time. So, it is about making adjustments to compensation and making sure we have an organization where people want to be a part of it,” Dr. Taylor said.

Upgrades and replacement of HVAC equipment are happening now at 10 schools in the district. Dozens more are scheduled in the coming years but unless new funding from sources like bonds or from the state comes around, HVAC fixes will continue at the same pace.

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