If you grew up in California during the 1970s, the average temperature on the first day of school was 73°F. Twenty years later in 1994, the average temperature was 77°F. Fast forward to 2024 and the average temperature was around 70°F, while the highs went from 93°F, back in 1974, to 105°F, in Los Angeles, on September 6^th, 2024. That’s a 12-degree jump!

And it’s because of that jump in the mercury that K-12 schools, universities, hospitals and correctional institutions have begun to examine the current state of their HVAC systems.

Consider this 2018 Harvard Kennedy School study which found that student performance on high-stakes exams would decline by up to 15% on hot days, with the effect being most severe for low-income and minority students. Other key findings were equally astounding, including these findings from UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation (that) there is an average decline of about 1% of a year’s worth of learning for each additional degree Fahrenheit in temperature during the prior school year.

Regardless of political climate, nobody can argue how children suffer, both mentally and physically, when they cannot properly regulate their body temperature. Settled science warns us (that) a child’s sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system cannot tolerate extremes in temperature the way an adult’s can. If it’s too cold, children are more susceptible to hypothermia. Too warm, and hyperthermia, which includes nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and lethargy can domino into a life-threatening situation in a place where our children are supposed to be safe.

Currently, between 15% and 20% of California’s kindergarten through 12th grade public schools “have no functioning heating and air conditioning systems at all, and as many as another 10% of schools need major repair or replacement for their systems to function adequately,” UC Berkeley and Stanford University researchers wrote in a report last year.  Some advocates say that is likely an underestimate.

At M. Neils, Engineering, Inc. we’re proud to be a partner in the solutions that help to ensure more kids get a better learning experience

In the last 10 years, M. Neils Engineering has provided Scoping Studies, Working Drawings and Specifications, Design Development, Construction Documents, Agency Approval, and Construction Support for over 50 new HVAC system installations, replacements and upgrades; providing expertise for K-12 education, higher education, healthcare and correctional institutions throughout Northern California.

Dedicated Experts, Proud to Partner with Our Clients

Introducing Yvette Van Zanten, Senior Electrical Engineer at M. Neils Engineering, Inc. Yvette is a key player and formidable talent in tackling the innumerable challenges facing modern learning due to climate change.  

Here’s an excerpt from a recent interview:

MNE Blog: What three (K-12 projects) come to mind that best represent MNE HVAC renovation projects in the last 5 years?

Yvette Van Zanten – Bristow Middle School, located 55 miles east of San Francisco, Novato High School and Sinaloa Middle School, both located in Novato, California.

MNE Blog: Is there a school or other project that was most challenging and why?

Yvette Van Zanten – Starting in 2018, the HVAC and Modernization project at Sutter Union High School was the most challenging. It began as a single project but after it bid, the school district lacked the funds to make all the renovations, so we performed the work in phases, which pushed the completion date out to 2024.

One of the most challenging aspects of a project is when it goes over the expected budget and is then subject to a “value engineering” process. What occurs is that (a more superior product) specified in our design is often replaced with a “more economical” version of the product. Although it may be more economical at the time, it will likely (sic) not have the longevity of what was originally specified in the design.

MNE Blog: What is your favorite aspect of the design and support you provide our clients?

Yvette Van Zanten – Building relationships with the architect and consultants on the design team is one of my favorite aspects. Also, being able to help the school district to make decisions based on our expertise is also rewarding. Best of all, when you go out to a job site and you see how excited the kids are with their new or upgraded school, that in itself is very rewarding.

MNE Blog: Can you comment on current or future needs for this type of project?

Yvette Van Zanten – I grew up where AC was not necessary because it rarely got over 90°F, but living in the Sacramento Valley makes me appreciate air conditioning more and more.

(Offering) adequate HVAC in schools will be an absolute requirement as we continue on this trend of hotter Springs, Summers, and Falls. Comfort for the students and teachers is imperative for an optimum good learning environment.

MNE Blog: Yvette, thank you for sharing your unique insights and recommendations on this critical issue.

It Begins with a Conversation

At M. Neils Engineering, Inc. we understand the importance of being a cool kid and we’re proud to be a part of the changes that are making a positive impact for our young learners. Contact us to learn more.

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