The Peel District School Board (PDSB) has voted to develop a plan to protect students and staff on days when extreme heat makes classrooms unbearable. At the August 27 meeting, trustees passed a motion requesting Peel Public Health’s support in creating a comprehensive safety framework to address health risks as climate change brings more frequent and intense heat waves.
Trustee Jill Promoli, who introduced the motion, said she began receiving alarming reports during June’s heat wave, with some classrooms reaching temperatures as high as 39 C. “Attendance dropped, students were feeling sick, and parents were contacting me in the evening saying their kids were unwell,” she told the board.
The original motion proposed setting an upper temperature limit that would trigger school closures, but after debate, trustee Brad McDonald amended the language to focus instead on building a safety plan. He argued this would better identify gaps such as the need for additional cooling equipment and ventilation strategies.
Other trustees emphasized the importance of balance and equity. Kathy McDonald noted that some students lack air conditioning at home, meaning schools might actually be safer in extreme heat. Trustee Lucas Alves added that families need consistent, evidence-based guidelines, pointing out that flexibility to keep children home is not an option for everyone.
Trustee Karla Bailey stressed that the motion is about starting a necessary dialogue, not rewriting policy overnight. “Temperatures are rising, we’ve seen it in the news more. This motion allows us to stay ahead and understand what we can do and what options we have.”
While some schools already designate gyms, libraries, and offices as cooling centres, Promoli said these spaces provide only temporary relief and don’t solve the challenges of a full day of learning in stifling heat. “We’re recognizing that sometimes it’s simply too cold for our schools to operate,” she said. “We’ve got a problem in the other direction, and it’s becoming more serious.”
The motion passed with a 9-1 vote, marking the first step toward a formal extreme heat plan for Peel’s schools.