High temperatures send school students home early - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

Just imagine trying to focus on school work in this heat for eight hours without air conditioning.

That was the sticky situation facing 900 students, that's three-fourths of the students attending Bishop Heelan Schools throughout Sioux City.

And that's why they were sent home early.

Angie Heller with Bishop Heelan says some school buildings do not have air conditioning, and the heat is not only making it uncomfortable for students, but for everyone who works inside.

"The teachers, even they were complaining a little bit yesterday that it was pretty difficult, we have some buildings that are four stories so, it's pretty hot in the upper levels," Angie Heller, the Marketing & Enrollment Director of Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools said.

Wednesday's high was about 100, the rest of this week's temperatures are still expected to climb.

Heller says school officials will continue monitoring the weather each day and make the decision to dismiss students early on a day to day basis.

Sioux City public schools without air conditioning also dismissed early today.

It's not a problem for the three high schools, three middle schools, and a handful of new elementary schools built in the last decade.

But there are still several elementary schools without air conditioning.

Sioux City public and Bishop Heelan announced late this afternoon they'll dismiss those schools without air conditioning two hours early again on Thursday.