Several schools in the Philadelphia School District will be receiving portions of a $200,000 donation recently made to fund air conditioning from Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles.
According to officials, the money will go to “improve the learning environment and comfort for students and staff” in 10 schools, Philly Voice reported.
In recent years, Philadelphia schools have been forced to close early due to high temperatures and lack of air conditioning.
So, Hurts’ donation is much needed for the Philly school system.
Jalen Hurts Giving Back To Philadelphia
On Friday, Hurts charity donation will be announced by him and Philadelphia School District Superintendent Tony B. Watlington.
The district’s decision to close schools due to extreme heat has been controversial. Not only did school officials close schools early during the first week of the 2023-2024, a similar decision came in June 2022.
A September report indicated that 57 percent of Philly’s public schools are without “adequate cooling systems.”
Philadelphia’s Chief Operating Officer Reginald McNeil said in 2022, “If temperatures in instructional spaces are expected to hit 90℉ or higher, we then determine if a temporary shift to virtual learning or other action is necessary.”
“Our goal going forward is to make that decision only for the schools that do not have sufficient air-conditioning systems to keep temperatures below 90℉ … and to make the decision as early as possible, preferably the day before, to minimize last-minute disruption for our students, families and staff.”
Goal is to Have All Philly Schools Air Conditioned by 2027
According to the school district website, when outside temperatures are “forecasted to reach 85℉ for one or more consecutive days,” the district’s Extreme Heat Emergency Response Procedures are triggered.
Part of that means that schools have to close early.
There is currently a plan to improve air-conditioning conditions in schools over the next five years, with the goal of having every school in the district with air conditioning by 2027.
Let’s hope Jalen Hurts kind donation helps in expediting that process.