Charlotte Students Learning in Cold Classrooms

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by Kirk Hawkins, Photojournalist Chris Keimig

Story Created: Nov 9, 2012 at 12:03 AM EDT

Story Updated: Nov 9, 2012 at 12:04 AM EDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--Students say they're being forced to learn in cold classrooms. Parents are turning up the heat on Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools.

"As soon as you walk in, it just feels like straight up ice cubes," said Gloria Alexander. The 15-year-old sophomore uses a blanket to stay warm in her classes at Garinger High School in East Charlotte. "They want us to learn and stuff but now can you learn when you wanna be all cuddled up with yourself," Alexander said.

Alexander attends one of the 12 Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools operating without heat right now. A spokesperson says they will have heat by November 15 at the latest. C-M-S says special technicians are needed in those schools over a period of four hours before the heating systems are up and running.

147 other schools in the district have heat because either their principals requested the earlier thermostat change, or they have newer buildings with automatic systems.

When Jahnyla Byrd came home with a cough, her mom Alicia knew her complaints about her cold classrooms were causing a problem. "It's really been cold. It's been below freezing on some days," said Alicia Byrd.

It was 26 degrees on November 7, 2010, 32 degrees on November 7, 2011, and 29 degrees Wednesday. More than a week before the district wide heating deadline at C.M.S. takes effect.
"You have to go by the weather--you can't go by what some man is saying on some policy.
You have to go by the weather. It's been cold," said Byrd.

Union County says six of its schools have not switched to heat. The other 57 schools in the district have heating system that go on when the temperature drops to 55 degrees outside.

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