Baltimore County To Speed Up Installation Of AC In Schools

TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) -- A battle the governor and the Baltimore County executive over hot schools may soon see a resolution -- but not without a heated exchange.

Ava-joye Burnett has reaction from both sides on the ongoing debate over air-conditioning.

Earlier this month, Governor Larry Hogan voted to withhold $10 million from Baltimore County schools if the district didn't find a way to put air-conditioning in every classroom by next school year.

RELATED: Hogan Withholding School Funds Until Baltimore City, County Install AC

On Thursday, the Baltimore County Executive Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz unveiled a plan to put central air in every school by 2018. He didn't hesitate to voice his disapproval with the governor's plan.

"We're certainly not going to be bullied by the governor into somehow giving into his, really, what I think, is an irresponsible demand," said Kamentez.

The war of words continued. In a statement Thursday, the governor said:

It is nice to see the County Executive finally taking this issue seriously and working to find ways to provide the students of Baltimore County with the learning environments they deserve. However, it looks like many classrooms in the county still won't have air conditioning until 2019, which is a major problem that must be addressed.

Until now, Baltimore County residents have been told that rapid progress on air conditioning in county schools was impossible. But without much explanation, the County Executive has announced a significant reversal in policy. Hopefully, the delays, setbacks and broken promises that have kept Baltimore County students in sweltering conditions for years won't continue to resurface.

While there are some schools that are still relying on fans to circulate the air, there are other schools that have already made the transition to air-conditioning.

WJZ spoke with some Hereford High students who said their school recently got A/C.

"Everyone complained in the classrooms. They dreaded going to school every morning. They would be like, 'I don't want to sit through this heat. It's almost going to be 90 outside, and it's going to be 100 inside the school,'" said Mumtaz Faridi, Hereford High student.

With this new plan, elementary and middle schools in Baltimore County should have central air by fall 2016. Some high schools will have to wait a little longer -- until 2018.

The Board of Public Works also voted to withhold money from Baltimore City if it does't come up with a plan for air-conditioning in every classroom.