But for those classrooms facing the south side of the building, there seemed to be little that could significantly improve the comfort level.
"I had a kid who refused to do an English assignment, and he had just gotten overheated," said Millie Nye, a guidance counselor. "He said he was hot and wanted to put his head down."
Virginia Pope, the school's principal of 17 years, said the heat wave was the worst she has experienced. It peaked Wednesday night when 200 parents packed the multipurpose room for a reading program. She had expected that at least one parent would pass out.
"Any hotter and I could have charged admission as a sauna," she said. "I don't know if we have the hottest school in Maryland, but we should qualify near the top."
Nancy Gough, a volunteer at the school who stayed cool with periodic swigs from her "Ultra Sip" quart-size bottle of ice water, had only one regret about her system.
"I wish I could pour it on me," she said.
Sweltering in school
Jurisdiction.. .. Early dismissals.. .. Air-conditioned
. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. this school year.. .. schools*
Howard. .. .. .. .. .. 0.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 50 of 50
Harford .. .. .. .. .. 1.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 24 of 43
Baltimore. .. .. .. .. 1.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 77 of 173
Baltimore Co. .. .. .. 1.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 55 of 149
Carroll .. .. .. .. .. 0.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 19 of 31
Anne Arundel. .. .. .. 2.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 59 of 120
1'*Some are only partly air-conditioned.
Source: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Carroll County, Harford County and Howard County school systems.
