Some classrooms at Princeton High School were without air conditioning on June 18, a day when temperatures inside and outside were in the 90s.
“It’s primarily a building automation system problem and not necessarily a ‘mechanical’ thing,” said Princeton Public Schools Board of Education member Dafna Kendal.
The district has said 14 classroom/educational spaces were impacted. Also, the system was not working properly in the guidance office and the main office, the district has said.
“Students were taking exams in rooms that were probably 90 degrees or more,” Superintendent of Schools Stephen C. Cochrane said on June 18 during a town hall forum on an upcoming facilities bond referendum.
The system was back up and running in some rooms, Kendal said on June 19. Other rooms will have to wait.
“Because the kids are taking finals now and I guess they have to rip out some ceilings or something, so they’re not going to do it this week,” she said.
Kendal said she was not aware of any cases of students having any heat-related problems.
As part of the planned facilities referendum, district administrators intend to make heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades at every school, including the high school.