COLUMBUS, Ohio — Twenty Columbus City Schools will start the new academic year online in anticipation of extreme heat and humidity this week, the district announced on Tuesday.
CCS says the 20 schools lack air conditioning in the classrooms or they are in the process of getting HVAC systems installed or repaired.
Students at the following schools will be learning remotely on Aug. 26 and 27:
High schools:
- Columbus Alternative High School (CAHS)
- Eastmoor Academy
- Whetstone High School
Middle schools:
- Arts Impact Middle School
- Columbus City Preparatory School for Boys
- Johnson Park Middle School
- Mifflin Middle School
- Westmoor Middle School
- Yorktown Middle School
Elementary schools:
- Broadleigh Elementary School
- Columbus Gifted Academy
- Como Elementary School
- Fairwood Elementary School
- Hubbard Elementary School
- Maize Elementary School
- North Linden Elementary School
- Siebert Elementary School
- Valleyview Elementary School
- West Broad Elementary School
- Westgate Elementary School
CCS says they anticipate these schools will go back to in-person learning on Aug. 30.
The announcement comes as central Ohio is experiencing temperatures in the 90s with heat indices hitting triple digits during the afternoon.
Students who need a Chromebook computer should reach out to their principal or school office to make arrangements to pick up a device.
Schools that were not listed will remain in person.
When classes resume in person for those 20 schools, the district says it will work to increase and create efficient ventilation. The district added it will make sure the schools have an ample supply of bottled water for students and staff.
To read more from the school district on this announcement, click here.
Two of the schools, Siebert and AIMS, have AC being repaired.
Four other schools like Whetstone high school are in the process of getting HVAC upgrades as part of Operation Fix It, a five-year $125 million initiative approved by voters in 2016.
Other buildings will be getting HVAC upgrades using Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding next summer.
According to the district, those upgrades are "being planned as quickly as possible."
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