DPSCD makes progress on long-needed air conditioning upgrades
As the Detroit school district marks the end of its first month of the 2026-27 school year, more than half of its schools now have full air conditioning throughout the building, according to Superintendent Nikolai Vitti. Vitti gave an update on Detroit Public Schools…
The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) is making progress on upgrading air conditioning systems across its schools. As of the end of the 2026-27 school year, more than half of the district's schools now have complete air conditioning throughout. Superintendent Nikolai Vitti reported this at Tuesday's board meeting, stating that the investment is part of the district's $700 million facility master plan, implemented in 2022.
The plan includes rebuilding, reopening, or demolishing certain schools. Vitti expects 81% of the district's buildings to have full air conditioning by the 2028-29 school year, with only 8% having no air conditioning at all. Early dismissals due to extreme heat were necessary this month, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees or higher.
To address this issue, industrial fans will be installed in schools with partial or no air conditioning, and portable air conditioning units will be delivered to schools with proper electrical infrastructure. By spring or fall 2027, the district may consider allowing schools with full-building air conditioning to remain open on hot days, even if other schools have half-day sessions.
However, implementing this change will face challenges related to bus routes, siblings attending different schools, and childcare issues for staff with children in non-A/C schools. DPSCD still needs to install air conditioning in 19 schools, costing an additional $245 million, which will be discussed in the fall or early winter budget amendment meeting.
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