Heat, Broken Fan Alter School Hours

Warm weather and a broken fan are forcing a schedule change at Garry Middle School in northeast Spokane.

Starting Thursday, students will arrive at 7:30 a.m. and leave at 2 p.m. The change is likely to last through the end of the school year.

Buses will run one hour and 20 minutes earlier than usual. Normal school hours are 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

A 25-year-old basement fan that brought in fresh air flew apart two months ago. Workers retooled an exhaust fan to move air around, but the only fresh air is coming in through open doors and windows.

Unfortunately, most classrooms in the 1970 building have no windows. Temperatures have hit 80 degrees in some rooms, said Principal Don Miller.

The district will alter skylights so they can be opened, but that work has not yet been done. Dozens of small electric fans are moving air through the building.

The district ordered a new fan from the company that built the original, but it won’t be shipped until June 2. The replacement will cost at least $30,000, said maintenance director Dick Laughbon.

Staff members voted last week to make the schedule change, which will affect 650 students.

Carbon dioxide levels have risen, but still are within safe levels, said district industrial hygienist Don Ganyo.

“There’s no hazard, but it’s going to be uncomfortable,” Ganyo said.