Not Feelin' Hot: Parent Says Some Braintree HS Areas Remain Cold

BRAINTREE, MA — Town and schools officials say they had the heat turned up at Braintree High School this week, but one parent said things weren't so hot when students returned to class Monday.

The problems started last week when a cold snap and two malfunctioning boilers led to classroom temperatures in the 50s. Prior to Monday’s classes, school officials said they were able to get the heat in the 60s with some exceptions.

Parent Carolann Ricardo told the school committee Monday that there were some areas that remained cold, telling the school committee that she sent her daughter to school with a thermometer and registered a reading of 56 degrees in the cafeteria and 55 in the yoga room.

The comments followed comments on social media that the school district did not do enough to communicate the low temperatures.

“We’re talking about communications and a partnership between parents and schools. Last week was wrong. Is there a Plan B for when this happens again?” Ricardo asked.

Superintendent Frank Hackett and Mayor Joseph Sullivan said all the classrooms were in the 60s Monday and they were aware of a chill in the cafeteria. Lunch was delayed by a half-hour Monday to allow the room more time to heat up.

Sullivan admitted that they could have done a better job handling the issue.

“You can never predict some of these circumstances but as the superintendent admitted, there are some steps we could have taken,” he said.

Three of the five boilers were working at the high school at the start of the week. The fourth and was brought back into service Thursday and the fifth boiler is scheduled to be repaired next week, according to the Braintree Public Schools.

As for a Plan B, Sullivan said they would do what’s best for the students.

“We are taking every step and every precaution we can to make sure the kids are safe and it’s a good instructional environment,” he said.

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