The point about heat not dissipating is an excellent one. I am worried that too much attention is focused on the temperature/heat index, and not enough on creating solutions to make schools more tolerable for more students and teachers. Portable AC, putting more resources into buses, etc.

Yes, very well said. However, I would like to make one point that people seem to overlook.

The heat that builds up in these schools doesn’t dissipate overnight. Just because it is “comfortable” or “not too hot” in the morning outside, doesn’t necessarily mean it will be anything but sweltering on the inside. As you mentioned, there is no real way to ventilate these schools. Then add 1000+ bodies and you are no better off than you were the day before.

AC is needed. Nothing else will make this better. I don’t want them to revisit the policy. I don’t want my child in that environment on days like today. I want them to figure out a way to cool these schools. I want our County Executive and school system to figure out a way to do the right thing NOW. Not a year from now. Not 2 or 3 or 5 years from now. NOW. They wanted technology NOW. They wanted school IDs and security NOW. And they did it because they wanted to. They can do this, too.

Well said!!

I am glad they are revisiting the issue – and hope that BCPS comes with real solutions – such as figuring out the bus transportation schedule so that non-AC schools can just close 2 hours early if the heat in the morning is not so bad. If not, closing all schools 2 hours early if the heat index is not predicted to be 90 before 11 am. This would get kids in Non-AC schools back in school more often, and would reduce the inequity. Also, window AC units need to be used – realize that is challenging in next week – but BCPS and the county could start the process.

Also, i think the Sun should be embarrassed by its article that pit parents against other parents, and is most recent op-ed on the issue. I appreciate the Towson Flyer being more objective than the Sun!