July 18, 2025

Wake County Schools Confront HVAC Crisis Amid Rising Temperatures

STAFF HERE INDIANAPOLIS WRITER
July 18, 2025
3:23 pm
Indianapolis, IN

News Summary

Wake County, NC faces a pressing crisis regarding outdated HVAC systems in public schools as students advocate for a comfortable learning space. With many units malfunctioning, schools have had to dismiss early, affecting tens of thousands of students. The district identifies over $200 million in deferred maintenance needs, compounding financial strains due to rising construction costs. Despite increased funding, most resources are allocated to staffing rather than essential upgrades, prompting urgent discussions at the Board of Education regarding the dire need for improvements.

Wake County, North Carolina is facing a significant crisis regarding air conditioning systems in its public schools, as students advocate for a comfortable learning environment amid rising temperatures. The issue has escalated to the attention of the Wake County Board of Education, leading to discussions about the urgent need for upgrades to the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems across the district.

Students, including Panther Creek High School student Anwita Kaluvakuntla, have raised concerns about inadequate classroom air conditioning, indicating that many HVAC units either do not function properly or fail to keep pace with the heat. This malfunction has prompted disruptions in the school day, as students are frequently required to move to cooler rooms, impacting their ability to concentrate. As teachers rely heavily on fans for relief, the classroom environment remains uncomfortable, leading to reports of students staying home or struggling to focus. Kaluvakuntla emphasized that every student deserves to learn in a stable, comfortable environment.

In 2023, approximately one-third of Wake County’s 200 schools have been forced to dismiss early at least once due to HVAC failures. This has affected tens of thousands of students and their families, illustrating the broader implications of the inadequate systems on the educational experience. School leaders have identified over $200 million in deferred maintenance needs related to HVAC systems, indicating a severe backlog that has accumulated over the past decade due to staffing shortages and funding prioritization for other initiatives.

The financial strain on the school district extends beyond simply addressing HVAC issues. The costs for constructing and renovating new school facilities have dramatically increased, complicating matters further. The expenses associated with building a new school have soared from approximately $14.9 million in 2010 to an estimated minimum of $80 million today. Even though Wake County has increased funding for schools by at least $35 million annually in recent years, much of this funding has been directed towards employee pay raises and new hiring efforts, leaving maintenance budgets insufficient.

Wake County school board chairman Chris Heagarty expressed concerns about the current approach, likening the situation to paying only the minimum balance on credit cards. This analogy reflects the pressing need to address maintenance backlog issues rather than focusing solely on new expenditures, such as employee compensation. Unfortunately, as Wake County has experienced some of its warmest temperatures on record, the reliance on centralized thermostat settings limits teachers’ ability to adjust classroom climates to comfort levels.

As many schools undergo HVAC upgrades to alleviate the immediate crisis, expenses related to HVAC unit replacements have more than doubled to $45 million in the past year. Additionally, a couple of dozen schools that have dismissed early are currently working towards getting new HVAC equipment installed. However, the district is dealing with a backlog of more than $800 million in total deferred maintenance across the school system, highlighting the urgency for a structured solution.

In recent years, Wake County’s maintenance and operations spending as a percentage of the overall budget has significantly decreased, leading to challenges with staffing maintenance positions. The number of maintenance staff has not kept pace with the increase in school buildings, further complicating the backlog of needed repairs. Local contractors have also raised their charges, creating additional financial strain as they require higher wages than the county’s maintenance staff can provide.

Nationwide, research has shown that 41% of school systems require updates or replacements to HVAC systems in at least half of their schools. With modern infrastructure design changes resulting in less natural ventilation in schools, the impact of malfunctioning HVAC systems has become a pressing issue, especially with increasing instances of extreme weather. Furthermore, research indicates that classroom temperatures can have a significant effect on student learning and performance, further underscoring the necessity of addressing the HVAC crisis in Wake County.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE INDIANAPOLIS WRITER

INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER The INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIndianapolis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Indianapolis, Marion County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Indianapolis 500, Indy Jazz Fest, and the Indiana State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Indy Chamber and Visit Indy, plus leading businesses in motorsports and healthcare that power the local economy such as Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IU Health. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Indiana's dynamic landscape.

ADD MORE INFORMATION OR CONTRIBUTE TO OUR ARTICLE CLICK HERE!

STAFF HERE INDIANAPOLIS WRITER

Stay Connected

More Updates

Would You Like To Add Your Business?

Submit