Classrooms without heat for two weeks; heating units ruled not operable

With temperatures falling into the 20’s, its never a good time for a heater to go out, but that’s exactly what has happen to classrooms at Fogarty Elementary and the Guthrie Junior High. On Tuesday, teachers sent home a note alerting parents and suggesting to dress their children in warm clothes.

Five classrooms at the 87-year-old Fogarty building, one classroom at the 85-year-old junior high as well as the junior high auditorium will be without heat this week and likely into next week due to deteriorating heaters.

Superintendent Dr. Mike Simpson tells Guthrie News Page the district examined all heaters in the district last week prior to turning them on. Upon inspection, it was determined the units were not operable and the decision to leave them off was made “for the safety of our kids.”

Teachers encouraged parents to send their “kiddos to school in warm clothes with their coat.” They also recommended sending “a small, throw sized blanket that they can cover up with while sitting at their seat.”

Fogarty serves over 550 students with 26 active classrooms. Additional spaces available include an auditorium, library and computer lab which all have working heating units.

Simpson says an emergency purchasing policy was implemented on Friday to address the old machines and they are working with a local contractor to secure those units. He was uncertain exactly how old the heating units were and that the units were working as of last year.

In total, eight units will need to be replaced. Five units will be installed at Fogarty and three at the junior high. Not all of the heating units were in stock and will have to be ordered as well as special accommodations made for installation.

Simpson says they will explore all options until then, including adding electrical heaters to those classrooms.