It’s the official start of fall, but some Baltimore County schools are battling a heatwave inside their buildings. Schools were let out early on Tuesday due to heat.
Schools were closed two hours early due to “forecasted temperatures and relative humidity,” a statement from the district said. Evening and after school activities were also cancelled. The heat index was expected to be 92 degrees on Tuesday.
While school officials didn’t elaborate on their reasoning, the decision comes after parents complained about the heat inside some buildings. According to a report on WBAL-TV, 52 schools in the district don’t have air conditioning. Kingsville Elementary and sections of Dulaney High School in Timonium were pinpointed as two of the schools with lax A/C.
After the reports, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot got wind of the complaints. On Facebook, he said he was “heartbroken to hear from parents who have to choose between the safety of their children and their academic well-being.”
“And I’m more frustrated than ever that inexpensive solutions that have worked elsewhere have been dismissed by officials who work in comfortable, air conditioned spaces themselves,” Franchot said.
