BOSTON (AP) - Nearly two dozen school districts across Massachusetts canceled classes or sent children home early Wednesday in response to the heat, which reached 98 degrees in Boston, breaking the Aug. 29 record of 96 set in 1953.
"Our schools were simply not designed for the sustained heat and humidity we are experiencing since many do not have air conditioning or sufficient cooling systems," Mike Morris, superintendent of the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District said in a message to parents announcing early release times.
Holyoke schools were supposed to start the new school year on Tuesday, but postponed the start of classes until Thursday because of the heat.
Barnstable public schools canceled the first day of classes Wednesday.Schools in Lawrence, Framingham and Taunton were among those with early dismissals.
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