August 3, 2025

Beaufort County Schools Face Air Conditioning Challenges

News Summary

As Beaufort County students prepare to return to school, two elementary schools are facing air conditioning issues amid record-high temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Hilton Head Island Elementary and Joseph S. Shanklin Elementary are experiencing HVAC malfunctions just days before classes begin, raising health and comfort concerns for students and staff. With ongoing supply challenges and aged HVAC systems, the district is working to ensure a comfortable learning environment as the school year starts.

Beaufort County Schools Face Air Conditioning Challenges Just Before New School Year Amid Record Heat

Beaufort County, SC – As students prepare to return to class on August 6, at least two elementary schools in Beaufort County are starting the school year without operational air conditioning systems amid record-high temperatures. Hilton Head Island Elementary School and Joseph S. Shanklin Elementary are currently addressing HVAC failures just one week before the new academic year, raising concerns about student comfort and safety.

Feel-like temperatures in the region are exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit, prompting health and safety considerations for students and staff alike. Last year, approximately 3% of classrooms faced similar issues with non-functioning air conditioning at the start of the school year.

Current HVAC Issues

At Hilton Head Island Elementary, two air conditioning units are down, but repairs for one unit are expected to be completed later today. In contrast, Joseph S. Shanklin Elementary has multiple units failing, and a contractor is scheduled to address these issues on Monday, just days before classes commence.

Underlying Causes

The ongoing challenges with HVAC systems in Beaufort County schools can be attributed to several factors, including a shortened summer break and recent temperatures soaring into the upper 90s. Additionally, schools must navigate the federal phase-out of R-410A refrigerant, initiated on January 1 as part of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act. This legislation aims to phase out HFCs, known for their high global warming potential.

Manufacturers are currently retooling production lines to comply with this phase-out, resulting in delays for refrigerant and equipment supplies. A recent shipment of nine HVAC units for Mossy Oaks Elementary, originally set for early June, only arrived on July 25, by which time summer’s end was quickly approaching.

Maintenance and Upgrades

Beaufort County School District manages around 2,000 HVAC units, with an average age exceeding 16 years. Ongoing parts shortages for HVAC repairs are a significant concern, potentially delaying replacements by four to six weeks. Recently, a voter-approved referendum allocated $17 million for HVAC upgrades at schools, including Whale Branch Elementary and Port Royal Elementary. While upgrades have been completed at these locations, work on Beaufort Middle School and Beaufort High School is still pending.

To enhance system reliability, the district’s maintenance vendor, ABM, has appointed a new HVAC manager and bolstered preventive maintenance efforts. These measures aim to address HVAC issues more effectively across the various facilities.

Looking Ahead

As classes at Beaufort County schools are set to begin, administrators and parents are urged to stay updated on the progress of repairs and the availability of functioning air conditioning systems. With the current high temperatures, ensuring suitable learning environments is crucial for the health and comfort of students and staff alike.

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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT

The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.

STAFF HERE BEAUFORT

The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.

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