Are Schools In New York State Closing Due To Heat?

The summer is still sizzling in New York State as the kids are headed back to school. The forecast is calling for the temperatures to get near 90 again Wednesday and some are wondering if it is too hot for the schools to stay open?

The unofficial end of summer is the Labor Day weekend and now that that has come and gone, the reality is that the weather is not feeling like fall. In fact, the weather these days feels like mid summer.

But what are the rules when it comes to keeping kids at school or inside classrooms that are brutally hot? Here in New York State, there seems to be no set limit on the high temperatures. However, there are some guidelines about how cold it can be.

While New York schools are required, by law, to maintain a minimum temperature of 65 degrees, there is no such limit on the other end of the thermometer scale.

There was a bill that was introduced in New York State that did aim to set a standard for the maximum heat inside of school. However, it didn't seem to get any strength.

Establishes a maximum temperature in school buildings and indoor facilities; provides a definition of extreme heat condition days and the standard to measure room temperature.

The issue of heat inside classrooms not only is about comfort, it is also about the ability to teach and learn. The NYSUT website has information that indicates hot classrooms hurt learning,

Further studies indicate that lower classroom temperatures and improved air ventilation improve learning ability and student performance by as much as 10 to 20 percent.

Overheated schools also waste energy and cost school districts money.

The good news is that this is New York State and the weather can change hour to hour. The cooler September air is coming and things will be more comfortable soon.