Facilities Under Pressure: Creating Resilient School Buildings
With record-breaking temperatures and more active-than-usual hurricane seasons over the recent years, school leaders are facing an urgent question: Will our school buildings withstand the pressures of extreme weather?Â
Extreme weather is no longer a rare disruption, it’s becoming a regular challenge. From heatwaves that overwork outdated HVAC systems to hurricanes that test the strength of aging roofs and windows, facility infrastructure plays a direct role in how schools can protect students, maintain learning environments, and serve as a community anchor in times of crisis.
The good news? Building resilience doesn’t have to happen all at once. With the right strategy and the right partners, districts can prioritize upgrades that offer both immediate impact and long-term stability.
A Resiliency Roadmap for Schools
Not sure where to begin? Our Extreme Weather Prep Fact Sheet outlines a practical, three-tiered framework to help you plan. Inspired by the hierarchy of needs, it ranks upgrades based on the urgency of risk and potential benefit.
Level 1: Upgrade Outdated Infrastructure
Start with the basics. During extreme heat or storms, your school’s weakest points are often its oldest systems—HVAC, electrical, and water infrastructure. If these systems fail, the building can’t function, and more advanced improvements won’t matter.
More than 50% of U.S. public school districts need to update or replace major building systems, according to the Government Accountability Office. HVAC equipment in particular is under stress during long, hot summers, and failure can lead to closures, safety concerns, and unplanned costs.
Resilient schools begin with reliable operations. Prioritize mechanical and electrical upgrades to ensure your buildings can stay open when they’re needed most.
Level 2: Strengthen Your Building Envelope
Heat, humidity, and wind-driven rain can easily compromise vulnerable buildings. A secure envelope, roof, walls, windows, and doors, keeps conditioned air in and storm elements out. It’s your facility’s first line of defense.
Our building envelope solutions help schools address chronic issues like air leaks, moisture infiltration, and poor insulation. These small-seeming problems can lead to big consequences, including mold growth, structural damage, and escalating energy bills.
In storm-prone areas, high-performance window systems and roof reinforcements can also reduce damage and downtime after a storm. In heatwave conditions, a tighter envelope keeps cool air inside longer, lightening the load on HVAC systems and reducing energy use.
Level 3: Add On-Site Power for Energy Security
Once critical repairs have been addressed, the next level of resilience is power independence. Renewable energy systems like solar panels or even microgrids can help schools maintain power even when the grid goes down.
While not every district is ready for a full microgrid, even a modest investment in on-site solar can stabilize utility costs and reduce outages. Case in point: Onsted Community Schools leveraged solar power to unlock broader funding, enhance learning environments, and build long-term savings.
According to Stanford University, installing solar on available school rooftops could allow K-12 schools to meet up to 75% of their energy needs and reduce the sector’s carbon footprint by nearly 30%. That’s a powerful win for sustainability, savings, and community leadership.
Progress over Perfection
Creating safer, more resilient school environments doesn't have to happen all at once. Every upgrade, from replacing outdated equipment to securing your building envelope or investing in on-site solar, is a step in the right direction to adding value, security, and stability to your facilities.
We work alongside school leaders to identify vulnerabilities, unlock funding pathways, and implement strategic improvements that support both daily operations and long-term goals. Whether you’re preparing for record heat, stronger storms, or both, we can help you develop a strategic, phased plan that helps your district move forward with confidence.
