KENWOOD — Kenwood Academy High School’s heating system failed for a second day Wednesday in the midst of a brutal cold spell.
Classes Tuesday were held without heat and several classrooms continued to have insufficient heat Wednesday, according to a letter sent to parents from Kenwood’s administration. At noon Wednesday, temperatures hovered around 21 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
CPS’ Facilities Department is working to identify the issue and fix it.
“Most classrooms are warm, and the affected classrooms with cooler temperatures have moved to the auditorium,” the letter read. “As a precaution, we are also working to install temporary heating for the affected classrooms.”
In a letter to Kenwood parents and families Tuesday, the district blamed a failed motor for the school’s loss of heat.
The district’s facilities department worked to repair the system, and it was fixed at about 4 p.m. Tuesday.
A record-low temperature of 7 degrees was set at O’Hare International Airport Tuesday morning, breaking the previous record of 8 degrees set in 1986. The temperature in Chicago was 17 degrees as of 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
CPS officials monitored temperatures at Kenwood Academy at multiple points Tuesday and Wednesday determined the building to be safe.
Most students “experienced no disruption” to their school day, although one classroom was relocated to the cafeteria Tuesday, according to the district.
Kenwood Academy officials declined to comment, directing requests for information to the district.