Mpls. teachers say it's too hot for school

The head of the Minneapolis teachers union says the district should consider delaying the start of classes when temperatures reach levels seen this week.

More than a third of the city's schools have limited air conditioning or lack it entirely. Minneapolis Federation of Teachers President Lynn Nordgren says she's been getting a lot of complaints from teachers.

"They feel it's become dangerously hot in some of the classrooms, upwards of over 100 degrees when you get the heat index mixed in."

Nordgren said she brought the issue to the attention of district leaders, who promised to send more bottled water.

"But when the building gets that hot, a fan and some water doesn't really help that much. It's just too hot," Nordgren said.

School district officials did not respond to calls for comment. But the district said this week that students may take excused absences as long as parents follow the proper procedures.

Patrick Henry High School student Shaheed Bell said the north Minneapolis building has been stiflingly hot, but he's toughing it out.

"I love school regardless of the heat. I was excited for my freshman year, so I think I'm going to stick it out through the heat," Bell said Tuesday.

In St. Paul, even fewer schools have AC. But classes do not start until next week.