By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Two St. Joseph elementary schools welcomed students back today after faulty heating systems forced the cancelation of classes on Monday.
St. Joseph School Superintendent Gabe Edgar says issues weren’t confined only to Edison and Eugene Field.
“We actually had five schools that faced some issues in regards to the heat,” Edgar tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Fortunately, in three of those, we got to have in-person classes and unfortunately, two of those we had to cancel.”
Maintenance personnel were able to get the heat working enough at Central High School, Robidoux Middle School, and Spring Garden Middle School to hold classes, though Edgar joked that the buildings were pretty cool to start the day.
Repairs took too long for Edison and Eugene Field to hold classes. The heat is on today and both schools are holding classes.
Edgar says that in each school the heating systems just aren’t equipped to handle such cold days.
“It’s just a unit that does not work when it gets below 20 degrees,” according to Edgar. “Why they were put in, I can’t answer that question. But, in April of 2024 you know we did pass a bond issue and some of those dollars will be put towards that.”
Edgar says that while it takes no time for the temperature in the school buildings to dropped, it takes quite a while for the temperature to get back up to a range acceptable for students to return to class.
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