Montezuma-Cortez School District is dealing with HVAC issues ahead of the upcoming school year.
The district is notifying families that heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems at Lewis-Arriola Elementary School have reached the end of their expected service life, and the systems at Mesa and Kemper elementary schools have undergone “significant” mechanical failures, making it difficult for the systems to maintain consistent and comfortable indoor temperatures with the high summer heat.
In a letter to parents and guardians of the district’s elementary students, Superintendent Eddie Ramirez said that maintenance crews have worked on the HVAC systems to inspect, repair and optimize them, but they are unable to reliably control temperatures throughout the schools.
District staff will work to monitor indoor temperatures and air quality daily once school starts on Aug. 10.
“Please know that the health, safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority,” Ramirez said.
The “contingency plans” include utilizing portable cooling equipment when needed, adjusting classroom locations whenever possible, increasing “hydration opportunities” for students and modifying activities on days when temperatures are high.
The letter added that the replacement of the HVAC systems is “one of the district’s highest priorities.”
“At the same time, the board of education and district leadership recognize that temporary measures are not a long-term solution,” Ramirez said. “We continue to move forward with urgency in developing a comprehensive replacement plan for the aging HVAC systems at Lewis-Arriola, Mesa Elementary and Kemper.”
For Mesa and Kemper elementary schools, the district is also pursuing litigation connected to the HVAC systems while working toward a total replacement.
“Although the legal process continues, our highest priority remains providing a safe and comfortable learning environment for our students and employees,” Ramirez said.
In closing, Ramirez noted that health and safety are priority, and that if conditions become unsafe for staff and students, the district will act immediately.
“We understand that learning environments matter,” Ramirez said. “Comfortable classrooms support student engagement, concentration and academic success, and we are committed to providing facilities that reflect the high-quality educational experience our students deserve.”
bduran@the-journal.com
