Air-Conditioning Delays to Affect More Schools

Delays in air-conditioning installation will affect nearly two dozen more Los Angeles schools than previously thought, officials learned Thursday, very likely meaning another uncomfortable autumn in many local classrooms.

“There’s a whole bunch of kids and teachers who are going to be much hotter than they thought this September and October,” Board of Education member David Tokofsky said after a committee hearing. “Something ought to be done immediately.”

Seventy-seven schools, up from 54, face delays of up to three months. The schools involved stretch across the district, but the majority--48--are in the San Fernando Valley.

Principals said they would make the best of the situation, just as in previous years.

“We’re going to do what we’ve always done, and that’s sweat,” said Nancy Delgado, acting principal of Canoga Park High School. “You just grin and bear it.”

The firm overseeing the installation, 3DI-O’Brien Kreitzberg Inc., blamed the problem on shipment delays from the manufacturer, and said district negotiations over a “fast track” air-conditioning plan also slowed work.

“The delivery definitely was not adequate to meet our needs,” Paul Holmes, the management firm’s deputy program director, said of the supply problem.

The manufacturer of the air conditioners, Marvair AIRXCEL Inc. of Georgia, could not be reached for comment.

Installation at some of the 77 schools could be delayed until the end of the year, Holmes told board members. Seven of the schools have air-conditioning equipment but await electrical hookups.

The seven schools include Vena Avenue Elementary in Pacoima, Sepulveda Middle School in North Hills and San Jose Street Elementary in Mission Hills.

Officials from the school district and 3DI-Kreitzberg were unable to provide a list of the other 16 schools.

The 77 campuses now facing delays are among 141 schools given priority for air conditioning under a $2.4-billion school repair bond last year because they are in hot areas, lack air conditioning or are on year-round schedules.

Canoga Park High, for instance, has air conditioning in only one-third of its 75 classrooms, even though fall temperatures sometimes reach triple digits.

More than 60 schools on the priority list are expected to have their air conditioning by the first day of school, Sept. 8.

District administrators, meanwhile, offered positive news on a parallel front: the school system is planning to buy about 1,300 air-conditioning units that are quieter than existing models and are expected to save money because of their efficiency. The units will go to those schools facing delays.

The administrators said the units, from Bard Manufacturing of Ohio, could yield annual energy savings of $2,300 at elementary schools, $8,000 at middle schools and $13,000 at high schools compared with models already in use at other schools.

The school board is scheduled to vote on the contract Tuesday.