The early fall heat wave engulfing Central Ohio has pushed Columbus City Schools to cancel classes Tuesday.“We do not take this decision lightly,” Superintendent Talisa Dixon wrote in a district statement. “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."
The district also canceled all after-school activities Tuesday. Teachers, secretaries, and other school-based staff will have the day off, while administrators, bus drivers, bus aides and other non-school based staff still have to report to work.
It’s the latest move for the district plagued by hot school buildings, many of which lack full air conditioning. Columbus City School officials made a five-year plan called Operation: Fix It to install more air-conditioning in classrooms, along with other building improvements.
Student activists have called on district leaders to do more to improve conditions.
