Six Portland-area school districts are preparing to ask for up to $100 million to repair HVAC systems that continue to struggle in extreme weather, Government Technology reports.
Earlier this month, the district had to cancel classes due to extreme heat as classrooms in aging buildings weren’t able to properly cool off occupants. This wasn’t the first time that school or school – related were called off. In July, school summer programming was halted in the Portland area due to a lack of air conditioning, Government Technology reports. School districts reportedly scrambled to keep classrooms cool enough during this most recent heat wave. According to Government Technology, even HVAC systems in newer schools weren’t working properly, forcing teachers to move classes into alternate spaces.
Portland, Centennial, David Douglas, Reynolds, Parkrose and Multnomah Education Service District have previously received $50 million over five years for clean energy from the Portland Clean Energy Fund. While the money was intended to improve buildings and transportation at seven school districts, most projects have yet to break ground.
If the request is approved, work on smaller projects could begin next spring while larger projects would start in 2026, Government Technology reports. If approved, Portland Public Schools would get $36 million, David Douglas would receive $25 million and other districts would get between $7 and $12 million.
The funding would be used in the following ways:
Mackenna Moralez is the associate editor for the facilities market.
