For the last week, KVOE News has been reporting on schedule adjustments related to the extreme heat wave that has been holding steady over the area for the last 10 days, focusing mainly on athletics.
However, there has been a great deal of action taking place inside classrooms and learning institutions, just as much on outdoor surfaces, as institutions have been working to keep their students comfortable in their respective learning environments. For Flint Hills Technical College, this has meant keeping a close eye on classroom temperatures, according to FHTC President Dr. Caron Daugherty during her recent Tech Talk appearance Tuesday morning.
Daugherty says that during severe heatwaves such as this one, one of the main concerns is lab spaces, noting that certain areas must be kept at a specific temperature.
That said, Daugherty did not report any major issues keeping spaces cool and comfortable or maintaining their equipment over the last week, giving a lot of credit to local heating and air and electrician businesses.
For local elementary and secondary education, the local heat wave has also not led to much in the way of adjustments, according to USD 253 Emporia Director of Community Relations Lyndel Landgren, who spoke briefly with KVOE News on the matter Tuesday. According to Landgren, the district, much like FHTC, has been very diligent in ensuring all areas are safe and comfortable for students both during and after school.
He says that, in addition to taking precautions in the buildings, transportation staff has also been hard at work taking precautions on buses, noting the age of many and the lack of air conditioning or cooling units, to ensure the heat does not negatively impact students.
Landgren did report that the district had a few issues with air conditioning units over the past week, plus in “certain classrooms”, but says it was nothing severe.
Both Daugherty and Landgren’s comments came on a day with yet another air temperature reading in excess of 100 degrees and an even higher heat index right around 106 on Tuesday. The good news is the area may be getting a much-needed break soon, with chances for showers and storms in the forecast Wednesday through Thursday and air temperatures in the upper 80s to low 90s heading into the weekend, with temperatures likely to stay in the upper 80s into the upcoming work week.
Be sure to stay with KVOE, KVOE.com, and KVOE social media for more updates on the weather as it develops.
