Heat is hitting Tulsa Public Schools’ air conditioning systems hard as triple-digit temperatures continue into September.
As of Monday afternoon, 62 TPS schools are reporting HVAC issues impacting classrooms. There are around 185 open HVAC work orders across those schools, and work is ongoing at 25 of them, according to district spokesman Kyle Boone. He did not share which locations are experiencing HVAC issues.
Maintenance and facilities teams are “working around the clock” to address the issues, he added.
TPS says school leaders have been asked to “take all available measures” to combat the ventilation challenges, including shifting class locations and moving recess indoors.
The National Weather Service issued heat advisories for Monday and Tuesday, warning of heat indices up to 107 degrees and encouraging Tulsans to take “frequent shade, A/C breaks.” This August has been one of the hottest in the last two decades, according to NWS data, with an average daily temperature of 87.6 degrees.
When temperatures hit similar highs in the first week of school, TPS encouraged students to stay hydrated throughout the day and dress in “cool and comfortable” clothing.
“There is nothing we take more seriously than the safety of our students and staff, and our teams are committed to resolving issues while continually monitoring weather conditions and forecasts to ensure the well-being of everyone in our buildings,” Boone said in a statement.
News decisions at the Tulsa Flyer are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
