Broken cooling systems at Hillside High School and Lakewood Montessori Middle School left students sweltering Wednesday as outdoor temperatures hit 90 degrees across Durham.
Durham Public Schools said technicians and contractors have been working on both buildings since Tuesday. A district spokesperson warned that timelines could slip if crews need to order parts. No completion date has been announced for either school.
At Hillside, off Fayetteville Road, indoor thermostats were reading in the 80s. Students and staff are being moved to cooler spots on campus while fans and portable units run in classrooms. Not exactly conditions built for learning.
Student Rex Ogumnola said there was no corner of the building that offered relief, with classrooms the worst. Student Skarleth Diaz said the heat made it nearly impossible to concentrate, that she was sweating through class, and that stepping outside brought no break from it. Some Hillside students spent their lunch breaks walking to a nearby convenience store to grab something cold before heading back in.