Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
With deteriorating boiler systems and aging buildings, the Bristol Township School District is continuing to evaluate whether the school system will be open Tuesday as some of the coldest temperatures in years are set to overcome the region.
“We’re going to watch the buildings and transportation with the cold weather,” Superintendent Dr. Samuel Lee said Monday afternoon. He added that school is currently set to be open for Tuesday and said any change would be announced.
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When students head to school Tuesday, many walking to their neighborhood elementary schools, temperatures are expected to feel roughly 30 to 40 degrees below freezing.
Lee said he met with operations manager Tim Trzaska Monday afternoon. District crews will be out before the dawn to make sure school driveways and walkways are salted and safe for those who use them. He advised families to take necessary precautions.
Maple Shade Elementary School in Croydon was built in 1929 and features equipment that is original, although, much of the boiler systems have been replaced more recently. George Washington Elementary School in Levittown used a rented boiler truck to help heat it in the winter. District officials have noted before that aging boilers have broken down in the past and cracks often let in cold air. The problems were noted when the case to consolidate and build three new schools was presented.
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“We are confident our systems can get through this,” Lee said.
On Monday afternoon, the Morrisville Borough School District announced all schools will be closed Tuesday due to the cold weather. That district’s students mostly walk to school due to the size of the borough. As of 4 p.m. Monday, no other Lower Bucks County school district have canceled classes for Tuesday.
