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As Brutal Heat Continues, CPS Boss Says He's Not Worried About Hot Schools

By Ted Cox | September 7, 2016 9:58am
 As the heat index hits 100 degrees in Chicago Wednesday, the head of Chicago Public Schools said he's not worried about schools without air conditioning.
As the heat index hits 100 degrees in Chicago Wednesday, the head of Chicago Public Schools said he's not worried about schools without air conditioning.
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DNAinfo/Mark Konkol

DOWNTOWN — As the heat index hits 100 degrees in Chicago Wednesday, the head of Chicago Public Schools said he's not worried about schools without air conditioning.

CPS Chief Executive Officer Forrest Claypool was matter-of-fact about it in addressing high heat on the first day of school Tuesday, suggesting principals have been through this before and know how to deal with it.

"We have an emergency unit Downtown that responds to any calls or concerns principals have," Claypool said in an appearance at Edwards Elementary on the Southwest Side. "Most principals have been through this before. For those who haven’t gotten air conditioning yet — which they all will by the end of the year — that means hydrating your kids, keeping them in cooler environments. So the principals are used to this."

Claypool and Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced plans last month to complete the installation of air conditioning at all CPS schools by the end of the school year, a year ahead of what was originally scheduled. At the time, they estimated 61 schools were still without air conditioning in all classrooms.

Claypool sounded more concerned at that announcement, saying, "You cannot learn in a boiling classroom."

On Wednesday, with temperatures expected to reach the 90s, and with high humidity possibly pushing the heat index above 100, several Chicago teachers told DNAinfo that windows were shut, curtains were drawn and multiple fans were brought into classrooms to keep things tolerable. Many kids came to class with handheld fans as well.

 

 

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