Sweating rather than learning; districtwide AC problems, according to SISD

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)-- Parents in the Socorro Independent School District report that broken air conditioning units are causing classrooms to become uncomfortably hot.

Assistant Superintendent Enrique Herrera acknowledged that deferred maintenance on aging HVAC systems will cost approximately $100 million, an amount he said exceed the current annual budget.

"We're putting together a plan with the community for a possible bond," he said.

Herrera said he does understand why parents are frustrated.

"It's part of a bigger problem that our community really needs to understand as we move forward."

Herrera said every district campus has HVAC units, but some systems need repairs or full replacement.

One parent says the heat inside classrooms at Paso del Norte Fine Arts Academy is affecting students' ability to learn.

"I felt like he was more trying to cool off than actually pay attention," parent Valles said.

Valles said her youngest child has started and ended every school year at the campus in extreme heat.

"These kids are sitting in triple-digit classrooms," she said.

She said the problem extends beyond a single classroom.

"There's no AC in the gym and the art room. They're not allowed to have recess or PE outside, so they're stuck in locker rooms. Dance doesn't have AC, and they're basically creating body heat over and over in there," Valles said.

Valles said the conditions are dangerous.

"My 5-year-old gets out of school super red and passes out as soon as he gets into the car from heat exhaustion. Is that acceptable? Five years old?" she said.