40 Pittsburgh Schools Closed Due To Heat

PITTSBURGH, PA — Forty Pittsburgh Public schools have moved to remote learning for the rest of the week due to high temperatures. The closures were announced after the district established a new protocol for the heat for city schools with insufficient air conditioning systems.

Under the protocol, when the National Weather Service forecasts temperatures to reach or exceed 85 degrees and/or a heat index of 90 degrees or higher, the district will determine if a temporary shift to remote learning or other action is necessary.

Thursday's high temperature in Pittsburgh is expected to be 85, while the weather service predicts a probability of a high of 90 or hotter on Friday.

“Caring for the health, safety, and wellness of our students and staff is multi-faceted, and that is why I have identified the development of safety, health, and wellness protocols as one of five priority goals,” District Superintendent Wayne Walters said in a statement.

“As we enter the summer months, it was important to establish an extreme heat protocol for our facilities without sufficient air conditioning systems to elevate transparency in our decision-making process and help families and staff plan should there be a need to shift instruction virtually.”

These schools have switched to remote learning for the rest of the week: