Northern Colorado schools released two hours early for third consecutive day due to heat

Poudre School District students at schools without air conditioning have spent the first three school days of the year leaving class two hours early as high temperatures continue across Northern Colorado.

The early releases are only affecting schools and buildings without air conditioning. The district says it recognizes the schedule changes can create problems for families, but officials say keeping students in hot classrooms is not an option.

"[Teachers say we were released early because of a] heat wave. It's crazy in my classroom. My teacher says it's nice air conditioning. Not really," said Eisele "Izzy" Germany, a PSD elementary school student.

Germany said temperatures in the classrooms have been manageable at times but can become uncomfortable.

"It's pretty fine. Time to time, it's really hot when we get off for recess," Germany said.

The district has released students two hours early for three consecutive school days. The decision has forced some parents and grandparents to rearrange their schedules in the middle of the day.

Lucy Ross, Germany's grandmother, said she is picking up her grandson because his mother is working. Ross said she does not know what the family would do if she were not available to pick him up.

John Cope, executive director of communications for Poudre School District, said officials understand the inconvenience the early releases create.

"We don't take the decision to release students early lightly. We know this disrupts work schedules and routines," Cope said.

The district moved the start of the school year back one week this year, but Cope said shifting the calendar is not a simple solution. Changing the school schedule can have ripple effects beyond individual families, including athletics and other activities that involve neighboring school districts operating on different calendars.

"That is something we'll continue to look at to see if there are solutions so that we don't continue to have to release students early while we're in the process of installing air conditioning at all of our schools," Cope said.

Voters approved a mill levy in 2024 to retrofit Poudre School District schools with air conditioning. The work can largely be completed only during the summer, when school buildings are vacant.

The district said it either completed or began air conditioning installation at four schools this summer. However, officials do not yet have a timeline for when air conditioning installation will be completed across the entire district.

For some families, the inconvenience of an early dismissal is outweighed by the benefits of keeping children out of hot classrooms.

"I think it's a great decision. Yeah, I wouldn't want them sitting inside a classroom at what's 94 right now," Ross said.

Germany has a different reason for liking the early dismissal.

Asked what he thinks about getting out of school early, Germany said, "It is amazing. No more learning. I get to go home and play Fortnite. I get to relax in nice air conditioning with some nice ice cubed drinks."

For now, the district continues to balance the heat inside schools without air conditioning against the disruption caused by sending students home early.

With air conditioning work ongoing, district officials say they will continue to look for ways to avoid future early releases while the remaining schools await installation.