After heating the school for decades, its boiler system is simply showing its age.
The timing— not ideal— as temperatures take a dive.
About 70 miles south of Chicago— inside Gardner South Wilmington High School, hallways are pretty cold.
“It’s good in the classrooms, but you know, the hallways are a bit chilly,” said Michael Ashley, a student.
Gardner District Superintendent Michael Perrott says the tank that holds the water— which then produces steam for the boiler to heat the building— rusted out last month.
“You just put on layers and then you’re fine,” said another student, Abigail Cash.
The superintendent says “that’s all we can ask them, you know, is just to kind of stay focused on what’s happening in the classroom.”
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He explained that the school was unable to patch the tank, so they decided to get a new one instead.
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The classrooms are now relying on a newly installed a/c system that can also be used as a heat pump—though hallways and the school’s gym remain cold (sometimes in the 50s).
“We don’t have a lot of money,” Perrott said. “We try to make the best with the funds that were given.”
Other temporary remedies are being looked at as the new water tank— expected to cost thousands— is being fabricated in Wisconsin.
A slight rise in temperatures are expected this week.
The superintendent says the school’s maintenance team will personally drive to Wisconsin to pick up the new water tank when it’s ready to avoid any delays.
However, it’s not expected to be up and running until after Thanksgiving break.
