As required by Education Law section 409-n, the Board 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:
Turning off the overhead lights;
Pulling down shades or blinds;
Turning on fans;
Opening classroom doors and windows to increase circulation;
Turning off unused electronics that produce heat, and not utilizing electronic equipment to the extent practicable; and/or
Providing water breaks.
This policy does not preclude air conditioning from being used pursuant to an Individualized Education Program, Section 504 Plan, or documented medical need.
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 in those spaces, when practicable. The Superintendent will direct Principals to evacuate the space including, but not limited to, the following:
Move students and staff to cooler locations; or
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.
Ref: Education Law §§409-n; 2801-a
Adoption date: March 3, 2025