Public high schools in Hillsborough County experience day to day changes with school air conditioning, which has generated issues throughout the school year. Without the air conditioning operating, it causes an unbearable learning environment during the hot days in Florida. Many students have difficulty learning new material in an environment that is warm and without air circulation. With constant air conditioning malfunctions, students’ academic performance can suffer.   

The deputy superintendent of Hillsborough County schools Christopher Farkas stated, “… many days at Steinbrenner on Monday mornings, your buildings are hot because they must go reset it.” The air conditioning is controlled by the district; therefore, it is turned off on Friday after school and often does not come back on Monday mornings.   

While many parents and faculty think that this is an overexaggeration, this situation can affect students’ grades because human brains don’t tend to work well in high temperatures.  

The issues that cause the air conditioning to break could last for a short or long term. With over 29,000,000 square feet of school grounds in Hillsborough County, the district must manage it all and make sure the air system operates. “…we’re going to open up every door or there’s some teachers that get warm or cold and so they open up their windows…,” Farkas expressed. With doors opening and closing, it creates humidity within the buildings. Due to this occurring, the air system can have malfunctions that come from the systems working harder than usual.  

In the summer of 2026, the district plans to renovate the air conditioning system. Farkas explains, “…the last day you leave school, that next day we will have the teachers get their personal stuff out.”  The work would need to start right away, as the pipes would need to come apart, the floors to be stripped and waxed, and the new air conditioning unit installed. He also explains, “…we will work double shifts seven days a week.” While working seven days, the new air unit will be up and running before the next school year. 

  In preparation for the next school year, Hillsborough County’s commitment to providing a stable air conditioning unit can ensure that every student can focus on education without the distraction of the sweltering heat.  The smallest changes can make a big difference to student life.