Henrico County Public Schools is working through ongoing HVAC problems at several of its elementary and high school buildings as the Virginia district prepares to reopen its 74 schools for students on Aug. 24.

The district ran into recurring air-conditioning problems during the 2025–26 school year at several facilities including Varina High School, Glen Allen High School, Fair Oaks Elementary School, and Skipwith Elementary School, according to local news sources. Parents at several schools raised concerns about the overheated classrooms and the detrimental effect they have on students and staff.

Henrico County has substantially increased funding to address those problems head on. Its fiscal 2026–27 capital budget provides $20 million for mechanical improvements at schools, including heating and air-conditioning systems that have experienced persistent problems. The county initially proposed $20 million for those improvements as part of an $84 million school capital program.

According to a report by WTVR CBS 6, the district also received an additional $2.8 million for day-to-day operational needs related to facilities.

Superintendent Amy Cashwell told WTVR that funding is being directed toward a range of needs, including replacement of aging HVAC equipment, chiller replacements, repairs, and preventative maintenance.

Temporary cooling used while repairs continue

District officials acknowledge that HVAC repairs are still underway at some facilities. HCPS said temporary spot coolers and high-capacity fans are being installed in affected areas to reduce the impact while permanent repairs are completed. Some problems are limited to individual classrooms or sections of buildings, while others are larger in scope.