HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Henrico County Public Schools Superintendent (HCPS) Amy Cashwell issued an apology Thursday for ongoing air conditioning and HVAC issues affecting schools. In a video message posted to YouTube the morning of Thursday, Sept. 24, Cashwell apologized for ongoing air cond itioning problems at multiple Henrico schools. "Please know that I am sorry and that fixing these problems remain[s] a priority," Cashwell said in the video. "When a classroom, a hallway or a larger area in a school is warmer than it should be, or when a repair takes longer than expected, it is frustrating. I share your urgency to make things right." According to Cashwell, HCPS is not alone in these challenges. She said public school divisions across the U.S. have experienced critical issues with aging infrastructure. This includes several issues with mold and HVAC at Richmond Public Schools. HCPS has a deferred mechanical backlog of $92 million, Cashwell said. When HCPS is unable to permanently repair these issues, the district deploys portable air conditioning units and, in some cases, commercialized rental chillers. Over the last two and a half years, Cashwell said Henrico schools have spent $26 million from the capital improvement plan on heating and cooling replacements and repairs. As of this summer, 17 capital projects were underway. She says the district will be shifting from "reactive maintenance to proactive care," hiring five new technicians and doing preventative servicing, among other changes.  Cashwell's message comes after HCPS faced widespread air conditioning and HVAC failures, leading to early dismissals, school closures and leadership changes amid extreme heat in late August and September. Henrico Education Association told 8News on Aug. 19 that about 10 schools in the area are facing HVAC issues. The temperatures range from 82 to 87 degrees. ...read more read less