8113 Extreme Heat Condition Days

As required by Education Law section 409-n, the Board of Education adopts this policy to address the health and safety of students and employees on extreme heat condition days. “Extreme heat condition days” are defined by law as when occupiable educational and support services spaces are eighty-two degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Under the law, “support services spaces” do not include kitchen areas used in the preparation of food for consumption by students. The law requires room temperature to be measured at a shaded location, three feet above the floor near the center of the room.

Air conditioners, where available, may also be used to keep temperatures from reaching eighty-two degrees, or to lower the temperature once it does. Evaporative cooling techniques may be feasible in some situations.

Actions to be Taken at Eighty-Two Degrees

When the temperature of an occupiable educational or support service space reaches eighty-two degrees Fahrenheit, the district will take actions to relieve heat-related discomfort (consistent with fire and building codes), including but not limited to the following:

1. Turning off the overhead lights;
2. Opening classroom doors and windows to increase circulation;
3. Pulling down shades or blinds;
4. Turning on fans; 
5. Turning off unused electronics that produce heat, and not utilizing electronic equipment to the extent practicable]; and 
6. Providing water breaks.

The Superintendent of Schools, Director of Facilities, and Building Principals will determine which actions to take, when to take them and in what order, and who will take them (consistent with applicable collective bargaining agreements).

On days when the outside temperature is expected to reach at least eighty (80) degrees, the district may take the actions listed above earlier in the day or before school starts, when the temperature is lower. The Superintendent and Director of Facilities will develop strategies to cool the district’s occupiable educational and support services spaces during the day. The district will also remind students and their families to dress appropriately for the weather.

This policy does not preclude air conditioning from being used pursuant to an Individualized Education Program, Section 504 Plan, or documented medical needs.

Actions to be Taken at Eighty-Eight Degrees

Students and staff will be removed from educational and support services spaces when the temperature reaches eighty-eight degrees Fahrenheit, when practicable. The Superintendent will direct Building Principals to evacuate the space, including but not limited to the following:

1. Move students and staff to cooler locations; or
2. Close school early and send students and staff home according to the district’s early closing protocols.

On days when the outside temperature is expected to be high enough that temperatures in occupiable educational or support service spaces are likely to reach eighty-eight degrees, even with the heat mitigation measures taken, the district may hold classes remotely (in accordance with the board-approved emergency remote instruction plan) or close school entirely (in accordance with required minimum instructional time). The Superintendent is authorized to make this decision. Remote learning may be district-wide, building-level, or for groups of students and staff affected by the extreme heat conditions.

During exams, if the temperature reaches eighty-eight degrees in spaces where exams are being administered, students and staff will be evacuated from the exam room, and testing will resume at a time and place when it is safe to do so. On exam days when the outside temperature is expected to be high enough that the temperatures in spaces where exams are being administered are likely to reach eighty-eight degrees, even with the heat mitigation measures taken, the district will attempt to find alternate locations to administer exams.

Other Adjustments

The Board will consider actions such as planting trees, installing “green” roofs or reflective roof surfaces, purchasing shade structures, and installing air conditioning, within available resources and building capability.

The Board will consider the anticipated number of extreme heat condition days when adopting or adjusting the school calendar, consistent with collective bargaining obligations.

Cross-ref:

4528, Emergency Remote Learning Policy

Ref:

Education Law §§409-n; 2801-a

Approved by the Board of Education: 4/23/25

 

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