BERWICK — In Maine, it’s not so unusual for a school to close because of snow. But closing because it’s too hot?
Most Maine schools do not have air conditioning.
In Lewiston, a few parents have asked Superintendent Bill Webster to close schools early. He can only do that during an emergency, Webster said. In some classrooms temps were in the mid to high 80s, a few in the low ’90s, Webster said.
Two Lewiston principals said many teachers have brought fans from home to school to help make their students feel more comfortable, and teachers are making sure students drink enough water.
In North Berwick, Superintendent Steven Connolly says schools in North Berwick, Berwick and Lebanon were closing early on Wednesday because the temperature in classrooms had reached uncomfortable levels.
Connolly said he recorded temperatures in the 90s on each school’s second floor the day before. He said it was expected to feel even hotter Wednesday, so schools were closing at 11 a.m. and noon.
Tom Hawley from the National Weather Service says the region is seeing the hottest weather of the year. He says some communities had official heat waves — three consecutive days of 90-plus-degree weather.
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