HEATING PROBLEMS HIT CHS, MMS AND OTHER SCHOOLS THIS WEEK

Students at Columbia High School and Maplewood Middle School, and some other locations, were hit with a lack of heat on a few occasions this week.

Students and parents reported that some rooms at each school had little or no heat for a few days since the weather dipped below freezing.

Wednesday night's AP course seminars for parents and students at CHS were also altered with room changes due to the lack of heat.

CHS Principal Elizabeth Aaron responded to our inquiry and noted that the building is in year two of a three-year boiler conversion project.

We also reached out to District Property Services Manager William Kyle, who issued this statement:

We have had some problems this week, as we do every winter, with rooms throughout the District, including the High School and Maplewood Middle. 

Problems occur for many reasons but some of the more common involve valves or blower motors. Many of the problems are easily resolved by adjusting a valve or pump motor. 

Other problems are sometimes more complicated. As I write this most of the problems that were present on Monday, have been resolved. The custodians and staff alert the maintenance department when there is a problem. 

We assess the problem and are able to fix many items the same day. Items that require the replacement or repair of a part will likely take longer. We bring in outside technicians throughout the week as needed and their experience and training provide a great deal of assistance to repairing the faulty equipment as quickly as possible. 

We coordinate with the school administration who are usually able to make room adjustments if repairs cannot be made immediately. The AP classes you mentioned were relocated to more comfortable rooms before the problems were even reported.