Classrooms at Ronald E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy in DeKalb County have been sweltering for weeks, according to frustrated parents who say the school's HVAC system stopped working before spring break and still is not fixed. Families told reporters that students - including those with asthma - have been left uncomfortable, with some complaining of headaches as temperatures climb, and that they were only officially notified of the problem this week.
Staff have tried to take the edge off the heat by shifting classes around the building and opening windows where possible. Parents say that is nowhere near enough for younger children and students with special needs, and they are calling for a faster response and temporary cooling units while the district works on permanent repairs.
According to WSB‑TV, Principal Shayna Bishop sent a letter to families saying staff "are taking proactive steps to ensure that students and staff remain as comfortable as possible" while district crews address the problem. The letter did not give a repair timeline. Parents told the station they believe the HVAC has been out since before spring break - roughly three weeks - and that when reporters asked the district for details, the same letter was the only response provided. Some parents also told the station they suspect the school's involvement in a district realignment process is contributing to the slow response from facilities staff.
Realignment Could Be Slowing Repairs
McNair appears on the list of campuses flagged in DeKalb's Student Assignment Project, a sweeping facilities plan that could close or repurpose underused schools across the county, as reported by The Atlanta Journal‑Constitution. The paper notes that the district plans to spend 2026 gathering community feedback and refining scenarios before presenting final recommendations to the school board, a drawn-out timeline that parents say can leave major repairs in limbo while leaders decide which buildings have a long-term future.
District Capital Planning and Delays
Big-ticket work like roof and HVAC replacements typically comes out of DeKalb's capital program, not day-to-day maintenance. The district's FY2024 budget book lists "Roof, HVAC, Facility Renovations" among its planned capital projects. Community feedback submitted on the Student Assignment Project also includes questions about HVAC projects being shifted or removed while long-range planning is underway, which has only fueled parents' fears that needed repairs at McNair are not being prioritized. Those budget and planning realities can slow down how quickly costly systems are replaced, even when classrooms are clearly uncomfortable.
Parents Push For Temporary Cooling
Parents told WSB‑TV they want portable air-conditioning units and fans brought in immediately, arguing that cracked windows and shuffled classroom assignments are not enough for younger students or those with special needs. With the region warming into the week, families say they expect a clearer timeline for repairs soon and are prepared to escalate complaints to district leaders if conditions do not improve. According to the station, the district has not given any firm deadline for when the AC will be fixed.
