Two days before the start of the 2025–26 school year, parents in Poudre School District (PSD) were informed that most schools would dismiss students two hours early for the first and second days of classes due to high August temperatures. As the heat wave persisted, this schedule was extended into the following week. Families had to adjust their routines, while students and staff faced classrooms with little or no air conditioning.
The Poudre Education Association’s (PEA) Heat Committee saw this as a sign that their advocacy efforts were beginning to have an impact. For years, many PSD classrooms reached temperatures in the high 90s or above 100 degrees. Over the past two school years, the Heat Committee has pushed for protocols to protect students and staff from extreme heat.
Before the 2023–24 school year, Sarah Vaughn, a middle school math teacher and committee leader, collected data from other districts and heat index charts to show how outdoor temperatures and humidity could make indoor environments unsafe. The research also highlighted issues such as the “heat island effect,” where urban areas retain more heat, and older building designs that intensify warming. Chris Fiero, a high school science teacher, said: “With many older school buildings lacking a/c and designed to trap heat, teachers are facing increasingly untenable working conditions.”
During that school year, educators documented thermometer readings—often with photos—to support their case. “We had teachers sending us pictures of classroom thermometers hitting 100 degrees,” Sarah explained. “That made it impossible for the district to say this was just anecdotal.” Teachers reported disrupted learning environments, health risks, and behavioral challenges.
“Nobody’s healthy in extreme heat,” said fourth-grade teacher Kim Carlson. “Our youngest students couldn’t regulate their body temperature or their emotions. For kids in our autism program or ILS classrooms, it was unbearable.” Fifth-grade teacher Hannah Ball recalled a student at Laurel Elementary who was hospitalized multiple times due to classroom temperatures: “When students are overheated and uncomfortable, they struggle to regulate, leading to more behavioral issues and less learning, through no fault of their own.”
Previous attempts by the district to address these issues were temporary solutions such as box fans—which were noisy—or swamp coolers purchased with mill levy funds. These devices introduced new problems like increased humidity and noise levels. Kim Carlson commented: “Everything was wet. The kids still wanted it turned on because it was better than nothing, but it’s not a long-term solution.”
Fourth-grade teacher Amanda Baldwin noted her classroom often reached 75–78°F with humidity at 61 percent using these coolers: “You have to fill it twice a day if you run it constantly. It’s loud. And in some spaces, like gyms, you can’t use it at all because it damages the floor.” To keep attention on the issue, PEA members wore red shirts and buttons at meetings throughout the year.
By February 2024, Sarah Vaughn and Kim Carlson testified before both chambers of Colorado’s legislature about PSD’s lack of air conditioning—32 out of 44 schools lacked cooling systems—which contributed momentum toward passing a statewide bill addressing extreme classroom heat; Governor Jared Polis signed it into law.
Following these efforts, PSD adopted new protocols: early release after three consecutive days over 90°F; automatic release at 95°F; relying on National Weather Service and CDC data for decisions. However, some hot days went unrecognized because temperature readings came from a cooler zip code than where most schools are located.
“It was so defeating before when classrooms were roasting but no heat day was called,” said Candice Mozer, PEA President. She added that district facilities leaders are now tracking which schools lack air conditioning and considering upgrades: “They ask us to follow things with fidelity… Well they need to follow these protocols with fidelity too.”
Educators believe their campaign has changed district policy for good while continuing efforts for safer conditions: “Meeting with board members and the superintendent showed me that our union can win real change,” Amanda Baldwin said. Sarah Vaughn concluded: “This all started with buttons and red shirts… Now we have protocols…and a real plan for air conditioning.”
The PEA Heat Committee continues its work toward safer learning environments across PSD.
