After several years starting the school year after Labor Day, the Savannah-Chatham Public School Board opted to return to the state of Georgia's preferred start time in early August.
But everyone seemed to forget just how hot school buildings could get this time of year.
In fact, most schools have energy conserving air conditioning systems that shut down in the afternoon to lower costs. As a result, a couple of schools have had to endure sweltering temperatures because of problems with their cooling units.
Savannah-Chatham Public Schools spokesman Kurt Hetager said the district's maintenance department controls air conditioning with timers.
"The afternoon shutdown is an energy conservation effort," Hetager said. "Schools where afternoon activities are taking place request extended running times and then the shutdown time is adjusted."
No schools are without air conditioning, Hetager said. But some classrooms at Johonson High have experienced intermittent disruptions and Marshpoint elementary has had trouble with its air conditioning system.
The unit that serves Marshpoint's gymnasium was down during the first two weeks of school because of a problem with one of the freon lines. Also there was no air conditioning in a small resource room because the unit that feeds it cold air is being replaced.
Maintenance staff said they have been working on those issues, and air conditioning should be fully functioning at Marshpoint when classes resume on Monday.