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Searing heat in Minnesota is forcing school districts already concerned about indoor air quality amid the pandemic to consider further mechanical upgrades to buildings without air conditioning.
The temperature topped 100 degrees in at least one Minneapolis classroom in June before the district shifted students in 15 buildings without air conditioning to distance learning. Bloomington schools brought in portable air conditioning units to keep kids cool. St. Paul called off school altogether, ending the year a few days early.
The disruption further highlighted how the mechanical systems within school buildings play a key role in providing a safe learning environment for students. The topic had already gained fresh attention during the pandemic, as schools rethought ventilation and air filtration to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19. Now, as districts make their plans to spend another wave of federal money from the American Rescue Pl