By AFRO Staff
A new school year was once again plagued by old problems for students across Baltimore and Washington D.C.
Hundreds of students and parents that anticipated a full first day of classes on Aug. 29 were disappointed once again by the air conditioning systems in the buildings where they were set to return.
On the eve of the 2022-2023 school year, Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) announced a list of schools that would have early dismissal on the first and second day of the school year due to issues caused by extreme heat conditions.
On the second day of the school year, they extended the early releases for the remainder of the week.
According to a press release sent at 8:20 p.m. on Aug. 28, the decision was first made “due to forecasted high temperatures.”
City Schools officials said in the statement that students affected by the augmented schedule were set to attend classes in a building that is currently “without air conditioning” or a school where “systems require repair that cannot be completed within one day.”
Schools like Curtis Bay Elementary/Middle School, Eutaw-Marshburn Elementary School, Franklin Square Elementary/Middle School, and Furley Elementary School released at 11:30 a.m. the entire first week of school.
The heat forced Benjamin Franklin High School at Masonville Cove, City Springs Elementary/Middle School, Harlem Park Elementary/Middle School ,National Academy Foundation and the lower building of the Mount Washington School to send students home at 12:30 p.m. on the first five days of the school year.
Cross Country Elementary/Middle School called it a day at 12:45 p.m. both days, as sun rays scorched the pavement home.
Schools that were not listed as a building that should close early still may be affected, as officials said they “may dismiss early, if their systems require repair that cannot be completed within one day.”
Help us Continue to tell OUR Story and join the AFRO family as a member – subscribers are now members! Join here!