9 Fort Worth ISD schools have issues with air conditioning after cable damaged
FORT WORTH, Texas - After dozens of Fort Worth ISD schools dealt with air conditioning issues on the first day of school Monday, the district said nine of its schools are dealing with A/C issues Friday.
The district said this was caused by "an underground telecommunications cable" being damaged by a contractor that was doing work.
The internet and air conditioning were among the affected systems.
As they deal with the issue, students and staff at the impacted schools were moved to areas that still had air conditioning. The district also said students can be picked up.
Fort Worth ISD said it does not have a timeline on when repairs will be completed.
Fort Worth ISD Schools Experiencing A/C Issues Friday
- Carroll Peak Elementary
- Luella Merrett Elementary
- Metro Opportunity School
- North Side High School
- Rolling Hills Elementary
- Springdale Elementary
- S.S. Dillow Elementary
- Waverly Park Elementary
- Westpark Elementary
"I had to leave work to come and pick him up. It wasn’t hot when I went in there, but it was starting to be a little bit humid," said Cynthia Ibarra, who is the parent of a third grader.
By email, social media, and phone calls, families at Carroll Peak Elementary got word just before noon Friday that there was no air conditioning and students needed to be picked up.
"It’s an accident, you know, like there’s nothing you can do," parent Eric Lara said.
It is the second time this week Fort Worth ISD has experienced A/C problems.
Fort Worth ISD schools experience A/C issues due to extreme heat
With temperatures hovering near 100 degrees, Fort Worth ISD says 25 campuses have reported limited HVAC issues "due to the extreme heat."
There were 25 campuses impacted by equipment issues on the first day of class, prompting the schools to move students to cooler spaces.
Angela Delgado had some idea of the Friday morning problems when she dropped her kids off. She tried to help out with a fan.
Obviously, it wasn’t enough for the challenge, with temperatures outside again topping 100 degrees.
"They called me from the district and their teacher texted me to come and pick them up," Delgado said.
[REPORTER: "You can’t see staying there all day?"]
"No, it’s hot, very hot," one student said.
Second grader Giselle Salgado and her sister were happy to see their mom.
"It’s a hassle. I’m a stay-at-home mom so, it was easy for me, but I’ve seen a lot of people who their moms are still working and they send somebody else, or it’s been a hassle for other parents to pick up their kids," Maria Salgado said.