Some of the problems of renovating school buildings and in particular the modernization of mechanical services in existing facilities are discussed. According to school management publications, approximately 42 per cent of our elementary and 59 per cent of our secondary schools are 15 years old or older. School plants, which were built 12 to 15 years ago, are today second-class educational facilities and deserve more attention than they are currently being given. These plants require revisions in order to create adequate thermal and accoustical environments to provide today's student with functionally efficient classroom facilities. When modernizing mechanical equipment, a combined report by a qualified mechanical engineer and mechanical contractor should be written. This report should relate the condition of the system as it exists, and it should also include an estimate on the cost required to bring this system up-to-date. (RH)