NEW YORK – Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill into law Saturday designed to protect students and teachers in New York public schools from extreme heat.
Under the new legislation, when a classroom temperature reaches 88 degrees, the school must move students and staff “where it is practical for the school district to do so.”
The legislation also requires school districts to cool classrooms when temperatures reach 82 degrees by taking measures such as turning off overhead lights, closing blinds or shades, turning on fans and opening windows and doors in classrooms.
“Extreme heat can significantly affect a student’s concentration, focus and ability to learn,” Hochul said in a statement. “With this new law, we continue to make the health and safety of our children and educators a top priority and ensure that every New York student has access to the safe and comfortable learning environment they deserve.”
Some opponents of the law argued that students forced out of hot classrooms could end up on school buses or in homes that are even hotter.
Record-breaking heat around the world
The signing of the bill came just days after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that 2024 will likely be the world’s warmest year on record. the previous record from last year.
According to NOAA, June was the warmest June on record, August was the hottest on record and September was the second warmest September on record.
If Temperatures continue to rise year after yearmany school districts in New York are working to install air conditioning, which could cost millions of dollars.
