December 17,2024
Late last week, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a new law that says, it can only get up to 88 degrees in a classroom, in New York State. That law was signed after requests, from the state teachers union NYSUT. NYSUT said in their statement last week that extreme heat was a problem for some classrooms in some schools and they praised the governor for signing this new law.
We contacted some local schools on this.
From Arkport Central Superintendent Jesse Harper: “For the past several years, Arkport has proactively monitored classroom temperatures, ensuring our facilities remain conducive to learning. It is a rare occurrence for classrooms to exceed 88 degrees, and when temperatures begin to approach this threshold, the district promptly implements temperature-mitigating strategies to keep our learning spaces comfortable. Moving forward, Arkport will continue to closely monitor classroom temperatures and make any necessary adjustments to support the success and comfort of our students and staff.”
From Bath School Superintendent Kelly Houck: “I appreciate Governor Hochul prioritizing the well-being of students and educators by signing into law new regulations ensuring classroom temperatures. While this mandate represents student and staff well-being, it also comes with considerable challenges—particularly regarding funding. As with many state-mandated requirements, implementation will require additional resources for infrastructure upgrades, such as air conditioning, upgraded ventilation systems, and ongoing maintenance. School district’s budgets are already stretched, securing the necessary funds to comply with this law without detracting from other critical educational programs is a concern.”
