A new heat index policy is put in place starting this year in order to account for schools in the district that do not have air conditioning.

This new policy, created after a district-wide survey in April, states that if the heat/humidity index is predicted to be 97 degrees or higher, an early release for non-air conditioned buildings is called, according to Dr. Michael Egan, superintendent. Schools that have air conditioning will remain in school for a full day.

On the first day of school, the policy was enacted at Lake Zurich Middle School South, Isaac Fox, May Whitney, Sarah Adams, and Seth Paine because of the extreme temperatures. Beth Flores, Spanish teacher at Lake Zurich Middle School South, agrees with this policy.

“I think last year it was really really hot and there were a lot of kids who had health problems, especially the kids that were in after-school sports,” Flores said. “[The policy] probably should have been placed years before because it’s always been hot.”

The Board of Education realized how hot the weather was in the beginning of last year, which was why the policy was put in place, according to Egan. Parents and teachers were concerned about the effects the temperatures may have on students and their learning.

Even though the students get to leave, the teachers are required to stay in the school.

“I think it’s good because we do have certain areas of the school that do have air conditioning in the library, front office, and teachers’ lounge,” said Flores. “When the kids left, we could move to those places and still have enough room to work comfortably.”

Both teachers and most parents that have vocalized their opinions agree with the policy. So far, there are no plans to install air conditioning in the schools.