COLUMBUS — With heat index values expected to reach the upper 90s again, the Columbus City Schools have cancelled classes for the day.
Meanwhile, a southwest Ohio lawmaker has asked the state for the cost of adding air conditioning to all schools without it as a late summer heat wave has forced numerous schools to close or schedule early dismissals.
After dismissing students early on August 26, 27, and again on Tuesday due to persistent hot and humid temperatures, district officials decided to remain closed on Wednesday.
ALERT: Classes at all Columbus City Schools are CANCELLED for Wednesday (9/5) due to the prolonged hot temperatures and high humidity. Additional Beat the Heat updates will be coming shortly.
— Columbus City Schools (@ColsCitySchools) September 4, 2018
“We do not take this decision lightly,” said interim superintendent Dr. John Stanford. “The greatest challenge is not just the hot temperatures during the day, but how hot and humid it stays into the evening. Our schools simply cannot cool off at night. We must put the safety of our students and staff first.”
All after-school activities including athletics at the high school level will be held at the discretion of the building principal and coaching staff. Elementary and middle school activities will be cancelled.
The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department will open all of its community recreation centers, 20 of them from noon until 9:00 p.m. to provide residents a safe place to cool off.
Heat Safety Tips:
Drink plenty of water – do not wait until you are thirsty.
Stay inside in air conditioning whenever possible.
Avoid beverages with alcohol, caffeine and sugar because they will dehydrate you.
Eat light meals
Wear lightweight, light colored clothing and a hat.
Stay in the shade
Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
-Source: Columbus Public Health
State Rep. Niraj Antani (D-Miamisburg) sent a letter to the state schools superintendent asking for an estimate of the cost of installing air-conditioning in all of the state’s schools, saying that that the closures are creating a hostile environment for teaching and learning.
It’s unclear who has the information Antani wants. The Department of Education says schools don’t report such data to the agency. Ohio’s facilities construction commission says it only tracks the 1,200 buildings it helped build or renovate since 1998, all of which have air conditioning.
Antani says it’s ridiculous that in 2018 heat is forcing schools to close.