Heat wave could disrupt some Portland Public Schools' summer programs

Some district buildings do not have air conditioning.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — While the academic year has come to a close, Portland Public Schools still offers some classes and other activities during the summer months. But with the current weather outlook, some programs will likely be disrupted.

KOIN 6 Meteorologist Kelley Bayern forecasted nearly triple-digit heat through Tuesday, July 9. Temperatures aren’t expected to drop to the low 90s until the following day.

PPS Chief Operating Officer Dan Jung and Director of Risk Management Joe Crelier updated families on the district’s severe weather plans on Friday morning.

“With summer programming just beginning, we are closely monitoring the forecast, the temperature inside our buildings, and local heat indexes to determine if we need to make any alterations to next week’s schedule,” Jung and Crelier wrote in an email.

They said the district is already hosting a “limited number of programs” due to the Fourth of July holiday, but PPS will cancel any remaining academic programs held in buildings without air conditioning after 12 p.m. (noon).

For those buildings, ventilation systems will run from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. to keep cool air circulating overnight, in addition to HVAC and portable HEPA units. Custodians will also open operable windows later in the morning, if “it is safe to do so.”

Athletics staff in charge of practice and other activities will adhere to the guidelines established by the Oregon School Activities Association. According to Jung and Crelier, the district partners who manage the childcare program “will use their discretion regarding a possible early release.*”

PPS will consult with Multnomah County and the National Weather Service on weather conditions throughout the heat wave. District staff said they will update parents about next week’s events on Sunday.