This year has brought three separate record-breaking heat events to our region — in March, July, and now August. As this pattern becomes more consistent, we want our families to have clear, direct answers about how it affects our athletic facilities and, most importantly, how we keep students safe.
This FAQ will be updated as conditions and plans evolve.
The Situation
Q. Why don't our gyms have air conditioning?
Both of our gyms were built without air conditioning. The District’s Facility Master Plan identifies gymnasium air conditioning as a priority project, but the bond issue to fund the project failed in November 2024. Since then, the District has done its best to leverage limited capital improvement funds to address critical infrastructure updates.
Q. Why is this becoming a bigger concern now?
Our region has hit record-breaking temperatures three separate times this year — March, July, and August — a pattern that's notably more frequent and more sustained than in recent years. What used to be a handful of hot days has become a recurring condition we need to plan around, not just react to.
Q. What is the district doing right now?
We've placed the fans we currently have in both gyms as an immediate, if limited, form of relief. We have also purchased additional fans. In the longer term, adding air conditioning is an option but would require installing an entirely new system. There's no quick fix. This option is on the Board of Trustees' agenda for September 9th.
How We Keep Athletes Safe Today
Q. How do you know when it's too hot to practice safely indoors?
Our athletic trainer measures indoor heat stress using WBGT (Wet Bulb Globe Temperature). This is a more accurate tool than using standard air temperature alone, since it accounts for humidity and airflow. Readings are taken regularly throughout the day, including at lunch and during 4th period.
Q. What happens if conditions reach an unsafe level?
We follow a tiered heat-response protocol. As WBGT readings rise, coaches are notified, and practice is modified to add more frequent water and rest breaks, reduced intensity, shortened sessions, or restricted conditioning. If conditions reach the most severe category, practice is cancelled outright.
How We Keep Athletes Safe Today
Q. How do you know when it's too hot to practice safely indoors?
Our athletic trainer measures indoor heat stress using WBGT (Wet Bulb Globe Temperature). This is a more accurate tool than using standard air temperature alone, since it accounts for humidity and airflow. Readings are taken regularly throughout the day, including at lunch and during 4th period.
Q. What happens if conditions reach an unsafe level?
We follow a tiered heat-response protocol. As WBGT readings rise, coaches are notified, and practice is modified to add more frequent water and rest breaks, reduced intensity, shortened sessions, or restricted conditioning. If conditions reach the most severe category, practice is cancelled outright.
Q. Can athletes get water whenever they need it?
Yes. Water fountains are available outside both gyms, and water jugs are on hand during practice. Athletes can and should hydrate as needed.
Q. Is there a cool space available if an athlete becomes overheated?
Yes. Our athletic training room, located between the two gyms, stays in the low 70s and is stocked with ice packs and cold water for immediate use.
Q. Is an athletic trainer available during practice?
Yes. Our athletic trainer carries both a radio and a personal phone shared directly with coaches. On days when the trainer is covering another sport, every coach has a copy of our Emergency Action Plan with clear steps for responding to heat illness.
Q. What's the protocol if an athlete shows signs of heat illness?
Any athlete reporting dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea, or weakness can see the athletic trainer or school nurse immediately. If overheating is suspected, our staff begins rapid cooling with ice and water. For more severe cases, our Emergency Action Plan is activated, EMS is contacted, and cooling measures continue until help arrives.
Q. When can an athlete return to play after a heat illness?
Not until all symptoms have fully resolved — at minimum, athletes sit out the remainder of that day and avoid intense practice until the next day at the earliest. If an athlete received emergency medical treatment, a doctor's clearance and specific return-to-play instructions are required before they resume full participation.
Stay Informed
Air conditioning will be discussed at the Board of Trustees’ meeting on September 9th. Families are welcome to attend. Meeting details: fuhsd.net/district/board-of-trustees
