Rio Rancho schools continue to look at HVAC issues, maintenance plans

RIO RANCHO — More than a month into the new school year, a segment of Maggie Cordova Elementary School is without a fully functional air conditioning system, highlighting an issue that is under fresh examination from the school board.

Portable AC units were installed in two portable classrooms in the school until a purchase order arrives, according to a statement issued Sept. 11 from Rio Rancho Public Schools. The district noted that the classrooms are “still relatively warm at times” even with the portable units in place.

“We appreciate the patience of our students, parents and staff, and want to assure those affected that our facilities officials are dedicated to continually ensuring that our schools are comfortable and safe places for our students to learn,” RRPS said, adding that the elementary school’s main building is not impacted.

The district added that Maggie Cordova — now 20 years old — will face frequent repairs, “often without warning,” like any aging school. If voters pass a bond this November, a “significant portion” will be used for a complete overhaul of the elementary school’s HVAC system, RRPS said.

Also on Sept. 8, the RRPS Board of Education approved the 2025-26 Preventative Maintenance Plan, which includes a goal to improve the frequency and quality of HVAC preventive maintenance.

According to a copy of the plan, found on the school district’s website, actions the district will take to address HVAC include scheduling technician workshops on diagnostics and upkeep, as well as increasing inspections.

Patrick Martinez, executive director of facilities, told the school board Sept. 8 that the objective of the plan is to be “proactive rather than reactive” to the district’s facilities needs.

He noted that “preventative maintenance” for HVAC is something the district has worked on for years and it is “one of the hardest things that we deal with.”

“So (we’re) just making sure we’re taking every opportunity to not only maintain but audit how we maintain the HVACs,” Martinez said.

Following Martinez’s presentation, board member Gary Tripp suggested a comprehensive HVAC plan was needed. He said he made the suggestion in hopes that the administration will update the board on a quarterly basis. This could help the board and district stay on top of the issue and possibly invest new money so that school starts on time and there are no school cancellations.

“Too many schools across the country and in New Mexico are closed at the beginning of school because HVAC systems are not maintained properly,” Tripp said. “I just want to make sure we have a good, comprehensive plan, even though (Martinez) said he was working on it.”

He added that it’s “really critical the kids are in a good environment on a daily basis.”

Tripp said the school district’s 2025-26 plan is “definitely an improvement,” but maintenance is something that needs to be looked at through a statewide lens.

“We don’t have enough maintenance dollars (to take) care of the buildings in the state of New Mexico — so it’s something that is a bigger problem,” Tripp said. “Rio Rancho’s doing a good job, but we need to make sure it’s a legislative initiative. We need a little bit more money put into maintenance.”

Although he didn’t mention it, bigger, nearby school districts, including Albuquerque Public Schools, have reported cooling system issues. Last month, near the beginning of the school year, APS officials reported there were nearly 500 work orders for HVAC systems, $40.2 million of which would be used to add refrigerant cooling to 20 campuses.

Bernalillo Public Schools spokesperson JoAnn Beuerle said the district does not have any broken HVAC systems.