EBBD - TEMPERATURE STANDARDS FOR SCHOOLS
Maine law (20-A MRSA § 1001(23)) requires school boards to adopt and implement a policy establishing standards for minimum and maximum temperatures for school buildings.
The Cape Elizabeth School Board believes that the optimal environment (“comfort zone”) for teaching and learning is between a minimum of 68 degrees and a maximum of 82 degrees and adopts this as the “temperature standard” for the District’s schools. Official temperatures will be measured per ASHRAE Standard 55.
The Cape Elizabeth School Board recognizes that, due to age and manner of construction, the District’s school buildings may not have HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems capable of maintaining consistent temperatures in this range in some or all areas of the building. Some schools may have air conditioning in a few spaces, and some schools may have no air conditioning at all.
When temperatures in the building as a whole or in classrooms or other occupied spaces exceed the maximum comfort zone by + 4 degrees Fahrenheit, schools are expected to take practicable measures to relieve heat and discomfort such as (but not limited to):
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Opening windows, when this can be done safely
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Pulling down shades or blinds
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Using fans and/or opening doors within the building to improve air circulation
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Turning off heat-producing electronics and equipment
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Having water readily available to students and staff
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Allowing students and staff to bring battery operated personal fans to school
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If an individual classroom is affected, allowing teachers to move students to a cooler area of the building (e.g., air-conditioned library or space on shaded side of the building) or, if feasible, to move students to a cooler “outside classroom” for continued instruction
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On days of extreme heat, considering rescheduling tests/exams to another day to enable more effective demonstration and evaluation of student performance
This does not preclude building administrators from acting preemptively in anticipation of a rise in building/classroom temperature to the point that will require action to be taken.
On cold days, when building and classroom temperatures hover near the minimum, schools are encouraged to incorporate more opportunities for physical activity during class time and may consider having extra layers of clothing available.
Families should ensure that their students are dressed appropriately for expected weather conditions.
Building administrators will be responsible for implementation of this policy, including identifying and planning for measures that are feasible in their schools.
This policy will be posted/made accessible to the public on the District’s website.
Legal Reference
- 20-A MRSA § 1001(23)
Adopted
- June 9, 2026