MPS parents want AC in buildings as nearly 50% are without

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee Public School were cancelled for the second day in a row due to heat. A survey shows parents want improvements in AC, heat, and ventilation units as nearly 50% of schools go without. Parents are also asking for the entire district to start school at the same time, preferably in the September.

Sean Kane, Senior Director of the Department of Facility and Maintenance Services for Milwaukee Public Schools, said 44% of MPS schools do not have air conditioning.

"Those buildings that don't have air conditioning we take the necessary measures by providing fan units inside the classrooms and also operable windows and we also encourage pulling down your shades," said Kane.

Kane said there have been discussions about installing air-conditioning in those school as part of a five-year strategic plan. The price tag being main hurdle for the school system.

"We have to see if, from a funding standpoint, to take a look at and see what makes sense in certain sites because again you can do certain systems, but you have to make sure it's economical," said Kane.

According to this survey taken by MPS parents and the community; heating, ventilation and air-conditioning are the number one requested improvements to MPS schools across all ages.

It also states that over 80% of parents who participated in the survey would like the district to start school at the same time in fall. It showed that 60% opted for a start in September.

"Historically the district has always had multiple calendars," said Adria Maddaleni, Chief Human Resources Officer for MPS.

According to Maddaleni, high schoolers and middle schoolers start their school year in August to allow for summer school opportunities in June and July. Most elementary schools start in September. She said that could change given the survey results.

"We're taking that feedback that we got from the survey and we're going to use that to develop some calendar options and we're going to send out another survey to families so they can give us their feedback on which one calendar they would prefer," said Maddaleni.

She said the second survey of 2023 will be available in September. Kane said they've used some of the millions of dollars in COVID funds MPS received to focus on air quality investments.