Only 14 Baltimore City Schools Remain Without Air Conditioning

BALTIMORE — As the new school year begins, Baltimore City Public Schools have made significant strides in addressing the lack of air conditioning in their facilities. Starting Monday, many students will enter classrooms equipped with cooling systems, a notable improvement from previous years.

Despite the progress, 14 schools continue to operate without air conditioning, leaving many parents dissatisfied. Marcia Turner, a concerned parent, expressed frustration about the heat in classrooms, particularly for her child who suffers from asthma. "My children can't even breathe in their school. It be so hot," she said.

Since 2017, the school district has been implementing a plan to install air conditioning and heating systems across all schools. The number of schools without air conditioning has decreased significantly from 75 to just 14 over the past six years. However, some parents feel that the remaining schools without cooling systems pose health risks for students and create challenges for working parents who must leave their jobs to pick up their children.

"I have to go to work, and they’ll call me at work and I can't get off because I'm just starting a job," Turner added, highlighting the difficulties faced by families in the district.

On a more positive note, some parents acknowledge the progress being made. Brenda Phillips, a grandparent, voiced her appreciation for the district's efforts, stating, "I love it. It shows they are working on the schools and they’re working to keep these children safe." She remains optimistic that the remaining schools will eventually receive air conditioning.

In response to the ongoing concerns, Baltimore City Public Schools released a statement addressing the challenges they face. The district noted, "City schools do not have sufficient funds to address these needs or even to perform necessary, basic and preventative maintenance with the frequency recommended under industry standards." They emphasized that while heating issues have historically caused more instructional disruptions, they are committed to ensuring all schools eventually have both air conditioning and heating.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WMAR 2 News (source).