Message to the Community - hot weather and classroom cooling
August 16, 2023    

Dear FCUSD Community:

Temperatures outside have been very high this week, and many classrooms have been warmer than usual. 

We want to provide you with an update on this situation as many factors are contributing to the warmer temperatures inside classrooms. Please keep reading.

• FCUSD has a partnership with SMUD to reduce energy-bearing load use during certain times in extreme weather. Yesterday as part of this program, SMUD raised our temperature set-point by 4 degrees at 1:00 p.m. which diminishes HVAC cooling ability during the instructional day. 
  • Today, we established a protocol with SMUD, that if needed, to only raise the temperature set-point after 3:00 p.m. and to notify us in advance if doing so.  

• Some of our HVAC units need servicing. Our Maintenance and Operations Team is working diligently to address this by inspecting and repairing units not working properly.  
  • All FCUSD team members have been trained on HVAC troubleshooting and maintenance.
  • Repairs have been taking place today and will continue until resolved. 
  • Our amazing Custodial staff has stepped up to help as well!
  • In addition to our FCUSD team, we have sought the assistance of outside contractors to respond to the work order demand.

• Concurrent with our attention to the HVAC units and in response to work orders, the Maintenance and Operations team is working to supplement cooling with District-approved fans in classrooms, in priority of work order and HVAC repair status.

• During extreme heat, student activity will be minimized.    

We want to pause to thank our hard-working staff who are making every effort to keep students and their fellow FCUSD colleagues cool and comfortable. We appreciate everyone’s patience during this challenging time and hope for cooler temperatures moving forward.