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Florida Times-Union Florida Times-Union
After 1,300 complaints about no A/C, DCPS says things getting better

After 1,300 complaints about no A/C, DCPS says things getting better

"What our students and staff have been going through ... is unacceptable," Duval County Public Schools operations chief Jim Culbert said.
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Henrico County Public Schools Face Widespread HVAC Failures Ahead of Student Return

Henrico County Public Schools Face Widespread HVAC Failures Ahead of Student Return

Henrico County Public Schools (HCPS) are grappling with significant HVAC issues across more than half of its 74 schools as students are set to return on Monday. The problem has escalated, with over 30 schools previously reporting HVAC malfunctions, including classrooms reaching temperatures of 90 degrees or higher. Facilities staff and hired technicians are working through the weekend to implement short-term and long-term solutions, including repairs and the installation of portable AC units in affected classrooms. Additionally, Glen Lea Elementary School has reported concerns about mold in an isolated area, prompting an environmental specialist to respond. While the initial assessment indicates no immediate danger, testing is ongoing, and staff in the affected area have been relocated. All furniture and desks impacted by mold are slated for replacement before Monday.
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North Carolina Schools Could Generate Significant Solar Power, Report Finds

North Carolina Schools Could Generate Significant Solar Power, Report Finds

A new report by Environment North Carolina Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group indicates that North Carolina's public school rooftops possess the potential to generate enough solar energy to power nearly 150,000 homes annually. The analysis, which utilized federal data on school building footprints, satellite imagery, and solar modeling tools, found that approximately 2,400 public schools, representing about 90% of those analyzed, have suitable rooftop space for solar panel installations. If fully developed, this capacity could support over 900 megawatts of solar and produce around 1.6 terawatt-hours of electricity in the first year, accounting for about 1.2% of the state's current annual electricity consumption. Wake County leads the state with an estimated 75 megawatts of potential rooftop solar capacity, followed by Mecklenburg County with 71 megawatts and Guilford County with 41 megawatts. The report highlights that while schools are attractive locations for solar due to large rooftops and dayt...
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Belgrade School District Finalizes Budget Cuts Following Rejected Levy

Belgrade School District Finalizes Budget Cuts Following Rejected Levy

The Belgrade School District has finalized its budget plan after voters rejected a local school levy in May. This rejection resulted in a funding gap exceeding $1 million for the district. Superintendent DeDe Semerad stated that school districts are legally required to balance their budgets, necessitating the use of allocated funds to provide instruction. To address the deficit without the levy's support, the district implemented measures such as restructuring operations, reducing staffing, and identifying other cost-saving opportunities. Semerad emphasized efforts to minimize the impact of these cuts on students. The finalized plan includes the elimination of some teaching positions, reductions in operating budgets, and other cost-cutting initiatives. Additionally, the district will increase fees for athletics and activities at both the middle and high schools in Belgrade.
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Intense Storms Cause Lightning Delay at Red Hat Amphitheater and Widespread Warnings Across Central North Carolina

Intense Storms Cause Lightning Delay at Red Hat Amphitheater and Widespread Warnings Across Central North Carolina

Intense storms impacted central North Carolina on Friday, leading to a lightning delay at the Jordan Davis concert at Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh. The region experienced severe weather warnings, including tornado warnings in Moore, Chatham, Montgomery, and Randolph counties, which later expired. The National Weather Service also issued severe thunderstorm warnings for Wake and Durham counties, with threats of 60-mph wind gusts. Heavy rain and potential flooding were anticipated across central North Carolina, prompting a WRAL Weather Alert Day. In Raleigh, crews responded to a townhome fire along Wyatt Brook Way after a lightning storm, though it remains unclear if lightning directly caused the fire.
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Wake County School Board Debates Teacher Hiring Amidst Community Division Over Gender Identity

Wake County School Board Debates Teacher Hiring Amidst Community Division Over Gender Identity

The Wake County Public School System is experiencing renewed debate and division among parents and community members regarding the hiring of a teacher, who some claim is nonbinary or transgender. This issue has garnered significant attention, including from State Representative Erin Paré, who posted on social media about concerns from parents regarding a "biological male who dresses as a woman" teaching in a southern Wake County elementary school. Parents opposed to the teacher's hire have expressed desires to opt their children out of the class, a request that has been denied. Conversely, advocates like Kelli Wilhelm, president of the Raleigh-Apex NAACP, emphasize the importance of inclusivity and preventing the bullying of qualified educators. School board members Lynn Edmonds and Jennifer Job have stated that the teacher's hire did not violate any rules, citing federal court decisions that protect against discrimination based on gender identity in employment.
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Tulsa Public Schools Addresses A/C Failures in Classrooms Amidst Parental Concerns

Tulsa Public Schools Addresses A/C Failures in Classrooms Amidst Parental Concerns

Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) is currently facing issues with air conditioning circulation in several classrooms, a problem that came to light during recent 'Meet the Teacher' events. Parents, including Lacey Helm from Carnegie Elementary, reported noticing uncomfortably high temperatures in classrooms. Upon inquiry, TPS administrators confirmed the A/C malfunctions, stating that a specific part needs to be ordered to facilitate repairs. In response to the scorching temperatures, the district has outlined measures to mitigate heat exposure for students and staff. These steps include keeping hallway doors and windows closed, drawing blinds or shades during peak heat hours, turning off non-essential lights and heat-generating equipment, and avoiding leaving exterior doors open. The district is also considering adjustments to recess, sports practice, and after-school activity schedules to keep children out of the most intense heat. Students are scheduled to return to school on August 19th.
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North Carolina Schools Could Generate Significant Solar Power, Report Finds Untapped Potential

North Carolina Schools Could Generate Significant Solar Power, Report Finds Untapped Potential

A new analysis by Environment North Carolina Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group indicates that North Carolina's public school rooftops possess the potential to generate enough solar energy to meet the annual electricity needs of nearly 150,000 homes. The report estimates that approximately 2,400 public schools, representing about 90% of those analyzed statewide, have suitable rooftop space for solar panel installations. If fully developed, this capacity could support over 900 megawatts of solar power, producing around 1.6 terawatt-hours of electricity in the first year, which accounts for about 1.2% of North Carolina's current annual electricity consumption. Wake County leads the state with an estimated 75 megawatts of potential rooftop solar capacity across its 204 public and charter schools, enough to power roughly 12,200 typical U.S. homes. The analysis also suggests that widespread school solar adoption could avoid approximately 1.3 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually from power ...
Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press
This Michigan public high school made top 12 in national rankings

This Michigan public high school made top 12 in national rankings

Here's how Michigan's top public high schools stack up, according to U.S. News & World Report. Is your school near the top?
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North Carolina School Rooftops Hold Potential for Significant Solar Power Generation

North Carolina School Rooftops Hold Potential for Significant Solar Power Generation

A new analysis by Environment North Carolina Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group reveals that North Carolina's public school rooftops could generate enough solar energy to power nearly 150,000 homes annually. The report estimates that approximately 2,400 public schools, representing about 90% of those analyzed, possess suitable rooftop space for solar panels. If fully developed, this potential could support over 900 megawatts of solar capacity and produce around 1.6 terawatt-hours of electricity in the first year, accounting for about 1.2% of North Carolina's current annual electricity consumption. Wake County leads the state with an estimated 75 megawatts of potential rooftop solar capacity, followed by Mecklenburg County (71 megawatts) and Guilford County (41 megawatts). Durham County schools could support about 24 megawatts. The study utilized federal data, satellite imagery, and solar modeling tools, considering factors like rooftop obstructions and condition.
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35 Individuals Face Over 130 Felony Charges in Raleigh's Moore Square Summer Operation

35 Individuals Face Over 130 Felony Charges in Raleigh's Moore Square Summer Operation

A joint operation by the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) and Raleigh police in Moore Square has resulted in 35 individuals facing more than 130 felony charges. Raleigh police requested ALE's assistance in June to address a rise in criminal activity and a decline in the quality of life in and around Moore Square, following complaints from ABC-licensed establishments about illegal alcohol and drug activity. During the operation, undercover agents successfully purchased illegal drugs and alcohol on multiple occasions, including from repeat offenders and juveniles. One instance involved a juvenile suspect selling crack cocaine to an undercover agent in a public park restroom while EMS responded to an overdose nearby, with children and parents present. Another incident saw ALE agents and police encounter a middle schooler who ran away while they were serving juvenile petitions to a 17-year-old for attempted murder, with the 17-year-old also found in possession of crack cocaine and stolen property. ...
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North Carolina ALE and Raleigh Police Announce Over 130 Felony Charges in Moore Square Summer Operation

North Carolina ALE and Raleigh Police Announce Over 130 Felony Charges in Moore Square Summer Operation

The North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) and Raleigh police have announced that 35 individuals are facing more than 130 felony charges following a joint summer operation in and around Moore Square. Raleigh police requested ALE's assistance in June to address a rise in criminal activity and a decline in the quality of life in the area, as well as complaints about illegal alcohol and drug activity from ABC-licensed establishments near Moore Square. During the operation, undercover agents successfully purchased illegal drugs and alcohol on multiple occasions, including from juveniles. One instance involved a juvenile suspect selling crack cocaine to an undercover agent in a public park restroom while EMS responded to an overdose nearby. In another incident, ALE agents and police encountered a middle schooler with a secure custody order for attempted murder, who was also found in possession of crack cocaine and stolen property. The individuals identified are involved in trafficking and selling controll...