MPS closes early for unbearable heat
Milwaukee Public Schools closed early on Wednesday because of unbearable heat inside the buildings, many of which do not have air conditioning.
MPS Superintendent Keith Posley said the decision was made based on the heat index, along with the added difficulty of wearing masks in the heat.
Union representatives said they met with administrators Tuesday and asked for the closure.
“Monday was brutal, today was worse, and we just kept hearing from more and more families and educators about how oppressively hot classrooms are,” Amy Mizialko, president of the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association, said Tuesday. “We have children and staff feeling very ill.”
Throughout the day Tuesday, Mizialko said teachers sent her temperature readings from their classrooms. At least two rooms hit 90 degrees. The decision to close early was made Tuesday night.
According to an MPS email, breakfast and lunch were served Wednesday. All after-school activities, Recreation Child Care Camps, Community Learning Centers (CLCs) and Safe Places were canceled for the afternoon and evening.
Posley said the district would monitor temperatures the rest of the week, and make decisions accordingly.
Only 17% of MPS school buildings have air conditioning throughout the building, Posley said Wednesday. About 63% have it in one or more rooms. And 20% have no air conditioning at all.
Posley said air conditioning would be a priority for the district’s third round of federal stimulus funding, an installment of over $500 million. He said the district estimates adding air conditioning could cost between about $1.5 million and $2.5 million per building, depending on its size.
Mizialko said that in addition to not having air conditioning, some MPS classrooms don’t have windows that open, and some lack shades. Wearing masks makes the situation harder to bear, she said.
More than 100 other MPS schools are scheduled to start Sept. 2.
“We want people to wear masks to slow COVID transmission but it’s hot in our buildings,” Mizialko said. “We’re hearing families say children come home and they’re exhausted and have headaches, and have soaked through their clothes and their masks.”
Mizialko said she’s heard from staff who reported students having nose bleeds through their masks due to dehydration.
Because of COVID restrictions, students are not supposed to drink directly from water fountains but can fill up water bottles at the fountains. Mizialko said teachers have been spending their own money to bring icy water bottles to school for their students.
Community groups are asking for donations of cold water, coolers, ice, reusable water bottles and fans for the 40 MPS schools that are in session.
School Board member Aisha Carr joined the Black Educators Caucus and Urban Underground in gathering and distributing donations. Carr, after touring four schools in her district, said she donated her stipend as a board member to the supply drive.
“What I observed was students looking exhausted, heat exhausted,” she said. “Educators the same. People drenched in sweat.”
Those interested in contributing can donate funds to Urban Underground and the money will be used for supplies, Urban Underground Director Sharlen Moore said. Carr said $3.50 pays for one 42-pack of water and $20 pays for one box fan.
Ultimately, Carr said she hopes the district can direct substantial stimulus funding toward adding air conditioning to its buildings, and reopen conversations about pushing back the first day of school for future calendars.