West Michigan schools opt for half-days, closures due to heat

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Nearly a dozen West Michigan school districts are closing for the full or half day Tuesday because of high expected temperatures.

The interruptions stretch from Grand Rapids Public Schools in Kent County to Portage and Comstock Public Schools in Kalamazoo County.

“It’s just getting to the point where it’s too warm to keep our schools open tomorrow,” said Luke Stier, interim communications director for Grand Rapids Public Schools.

He said the district is canceling classes at all of its buildings Tuesday because of “extreme heat.” While nearly all buildings have air conditioning, Stier said rising temperatures could strain those systems.

“It’s a struggle with how warm it is, especially with our 2- and 3-story buildings to be able to keep up when it is this hot and humid. Its just difficult for these systems to help keep our kids cool enough to be able to be focused on their learning,” he said.

Grand Rapids Public Schools canceled two Monday soccer games, Union High School versus Wyoming and Ottawa Hills High School versus East Grand Rapids, due to the heat.

Grandville Calvin Christian Schools says it will be dismissing the middle school and high school at 11:30 a.m.

Administrators in Grand Rapids are not the only ones feeling the heat. In Kalamazoo, a sign outside of the Kalamazoo Valley Museum read a sweltering 97 degrees Monday night.

Comstock Public Schools will have a half day for all buildings on Tuesday. Specific release times for each school can be found on the district website .

Comstock Public Schools Superintendent Jeffrey Thoenes said near triple-digit heat can be harder to navigate in older buildings that have yet to be fitted with air conditioning.

While two school buildings now air conditioning, he said his assistant superintendent noticed Monday how hot classrooms can get in the other schools.

“She confirmed today when she visited … that it was quite hot in the buildings where there is no air conditioning,” said Thoenes. “That personal touch and response allows us to make informed decisions.”

Portage Public Schools will dismiss the following schools without air conditioning at noon on Tuesday: Amberly Elementary, Angling Road Elementary, Moorsbridge Elementary, Haverhill Elementary, Central Elementary and Woodland Elementary. Community High School will dismiss at 10:55 a.m.

Superintendent Mark Bielang said making the call is tough, especially knowing the strain it can put on some parents who need to find childcare.

He said the main focus remains on the students.

“It’s not very conducive to learning if students can’t learn and teachers can’t teach. So we try to create a safe environment, a productive environment,” Bielang said.

Martin Public Schools will be dismissing at 1 p.m. Pennfield Schools will have a half day.

Tuesday is expected to reach over 90 degrees for much of West Michigan. Paired with the heat, dew points are on the rise. The feels-like temperatures will be near 100 degrees.

There is a chance for strong to severe storms on Tuesday morning and later in the day.

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