The city of Baltimore has finally decided to close public schools today after parents and teachers complained about students enduring freezing classrooms. The outcry started after photos of the kids wearing coats, hats and gloves in the classroom hit the Internet, and the local teachers union is demanding change.
CNN reports that the schools’ heating systems weren’t able to keep up with the frigid weather. According to former NFL linebacker Aaron Maybin, who’s now a teacher at Baltimore’s Matthew A. Henson Elementary School, his classroom thermometer showed it was 40 degrees on Wednesday. “My students were freezing,” he told CNN. “Most were wearing coats, but some don’t have them.”
Baltimore City Public Schools CEO Sonja Santelises went on Facebook Live yesterday to explain the problem. She said that the heating issues are a combination of broken boilers and pipes, and the “old conditions of our buildings.” Reportedly, around 60 schools made complaints during the school day.
Students there were dismissed early on Wednesday, and schools closed on Thursday. #Roommates, we’ll keep you posted on any new developments.
TSR STAFF: Myeisha E.! @myeisha.essex
