Parents Question Baltimore County Schools Closure; Spokesman Explains Decision

When Baltimore County Public Schools officials announced on Wednesday they were closing schools two hours early because of the heat, it didn't take some Patch readers long to question the decision.

Other readers came to the defense of the decision and invited others to sit in a classroom that lacks air conditioning.

"I think it is ridiculous that schools are closing because of the heat," Kathy O'Connell-Martin wrote on Dundalk Patch's Facebook page. "Many of us went to school no matter how hot it was and dared not complain."

"I completely agree with Kathy, and to top it off, they have a/c in most of the schools," wrote Lisa Payne. "And when we were in school, we just turned out the lights and got a cool brown paper towel to wipe down our faces to keep cool."

Parent Nette Kreutzer said "most schools do NOT have air conditioning" in Baltimore County.

"My daughter's school is one of them," she wrote. "Spend a day in those schools before criticizing the decision."

Valerie Mettee responded with, "Most of us spent 13 years in those same schools, without a/c, and were only released early if there was a waste or power outage.

School spokesman Charles Herndon issued a statement explaining more in-depth the decision to close all schools, even those with air-conditioning.

"Forty percent of the schools currently do not have air conditioning," he said in a press release. "Because these schools are in all geographical regions there are logistical challenges, such as transportation, that make it difficult to only close the impacted schools."

Unexpected closures such as today's also leave working parents scrambling to find a way to get their children home or to scheduled after-school day-care providers. The heat-related closure also closed all after-school activities, including school-based daycare programs. 

What do you think about the county's decision to close schools early today? Was it too hot for children to stay in their classrooms? Tell us in the comment section below.