Weber Schools move to early out after complaints of heat exhaustion

OGDEN, Utah — Students in the Weber School District will move to an early out schedule next Tuesday and Wednesday because of Utah’s prolonged heat wave.

District Spokesman Lane Findlay told KSL Newsradio the district made the decision after some teachers and students complained of heat exhaustion, and some classroom temperatures reached over 80 degrees.

“Some of our facilities don’t have air conditioning or adequate air conditioning,” Spokesman Lane Findlay said. “And so we started seeing some concerns arise with classrooms being way to hot, situations where employees and kids experienced a little bit of heat exhaustion.”

He said that Weber schools have brought in air conditioning units and fans to fight the heat. But, the added power is tripping breakers in older schools, some of which were built in the 1950s.

“You try to get creative … but there’s also limitations on power supply,” Findlay said.

And this heat isn’t a new problem for Weber schools. What’s new is how long it’s been hot.

“The difference this year is this prolonged period (of heat).”

All 45 district schools will move to early out on Tuesday, Sept. 6, and Wednesday, Sept. 7. That means high schools and junior highs will be out at 12:15 p.m. Schools with younger kids will follow their normal early out schedule.

Findlay also said many buses don’t have air conditioning. So, moving to the earlier out time helps avoid the heat of the day. Many students who live in rural areas ride the bus for “30-45 minutes,” Finlay said.

And there is one more option. Findlay says you can keep your kids at home if you feel it’s best.

“If parents do have concerns with their child, reach out to the school, we’ll do everything we can to work with them.”

Related reading:

• New device helps high school football players and other athletes stay safe in the heat
• How to avoid and prepare for heat exhaustion

 

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