New Mandatory Heat Closure Rule in the Works

Julie Rappold Sugarto‎BCPS Parents & Teachers for a Responsible Heat Closure Policy 39 mins ·

WE HAVE GREAT NEWS TO SHARE:
The Superintendent's office is working on a mandatory heat closure/early dismissal rule! They are looking at using the heat index forecast with the goal of making heat closure/early dismissal decisions the night before instead of announcing these decisions the day of the extreme heat! They are also looking at measures for non air-conditioned schools during heat events such as ensuring schools allow students to have water bottles, possibly requiring non air-conditioned classrooms to have thermometers, etc. It will expedite the process to have a BCPS Rule rather than a Board Policy because policies must go through 3 readings at BoE meetings and take longer to enact. The new rule will be written over the next 2 weeks. We look forward to reporting more as we learn it. Thank you to every parent, teacher, student, lawmaker, and BoE member who advocated for a mandatory heat closure policy/rule and thank you to the Superintendent who heard our plea.