'It's too hot.' Parents across NJ concerned about no A/C in schools
Over the past several days, families from several counties have contacted News 12 to report classrooms they said are just as sweltering as the air outside.
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Parents across New Jersey are raising concerns about a lack of air conditioning in their local schools as temperatures continue to rise.
Over the past several days, families from several counties have contacted News 12 to report classrooms they said are reaching into the upper 80s and 90 degrees.
Tenafly parent Marlyn Rivera said the heat has forced her to keep her two children out of school multiple times this week.
“No air conditioner, and the room temperature has been 85, 86, 90,” Rivera said. “The kids have been complaining a lot. Yesterday, I had to pick up my kids because of the heat. Monday, the same thing.”
Rivera said the conditions are affecting her children’s ability to focus in class.
“They’re saying, ‘This is too much. It’s too hot inside. I want to go home,’” she said, adding that leaving early can result in students being marked absent.
Some school districts have implemented early dismissals in response to the heat, but others have continued with full school days.
At East Ward Elementary School in Newark, classes remained in session.
A spokesperson for Newark Public Schools said the building has undergone several upgrades in the past three years, though some parents and guardians told News 12 additional improvements are needed.
“I wish that they could put ACs so the kids are not in this heat inside the schools,” said Sofia Olivera, whose nephew attends Newark Public schools. “I also went to the schools here in Newark. They get pretty hot in the summer."
A student at Linden High School also reached out to News 12 about a lack of air conditioning in temperatures exceeding 90 degrees.
The district’s superintendent said several school buildings, including Linden High School, do not currently have the electrical capacity to support a full HVAC upgrade. The superintendent added that work to address those limitations and begin upgrades is expected to start this summer.
However, some parents said they'd like to see immediate action across the board.
“I think they should come and fix these air conditioners as soon as possible,” Rivera said.
