AC issues force Wake County high schools to dismiss early, one closed Thursday

Dangerously hot temperatures are impacting schools in the area.

On Thursday, some Wake County schools are either closed or will dismiss students early.

South Garner High School dismissed students at noon Thursday due to HVAC issues and high temperatures expected.

Here's a look at how the hot temperatures are impacting other schools in the Triangle.

Apex Friendship High School dismissed students early

At Apex Friendship High School, the school building's AC unit is struggling to keep the building cool.

Students at Apex Friendship High School were originally scheduled to be released early Thursday at 11:15 a.m. However, students were sent home even earlier at 9:30 a.m.

This is the second early-release day in a row due to air conditioning issues that are leaving students and teachers suffering in sweltering heat.

The Apex Friendship High School principal said they set an 11:15 a.m. dismissal time because they assumed the building would cool overnight. But instead, he said the building became hotter - too hot for students to go to class.

The school is planning for all the bus routes to leave between 9:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m.

If you’re a parent that needs to pick up your child from school, staff will stay with students until every child is picked up.

There were some athletic games scheduled for Thursday. The principal said they’ll make a decision on whether students can play by noon.

Wake County Schools released a statement Wednesday that said the school’s air conditioning system is running at a limited capacity and can’t cool the whole building.

Wake County School officials said their goal is to put Apex Friendship back on a normal schedule Friday.

Air conditioning problems affecting several Wake County schools

Apex Friendship is not the only school in Wake County that’s adjusting their schedule Thursday because of air conditioning problems. Several other schools across the Triangle are having similar problems.

Willow Spring High School will be closed Thursday.

Millbrook High School is also dismissing early on Thursday.

"Due to our HVAC system not working at full capacity and high temperatures expected for today, we will be dismissing students early at noon on Thursday, Sept. 7."

Students will still be provided lunch, and school buses will provide transportation home for students who ride by bus. Parents will be able to pick up their kids as usual. Staff will remain on campus with students until they are picked up.

Afterschool activities will still take place Thursday, but the locations and times may change.

On Wednesday, Knightdale High School dismissed early.

It was very hard to focus," said Janiyah Williams, a student at Knightdale High School. "It was just too hot to be in the classrooms. And then we couldn’t even go outside because it’s hot out here as well."

Cooling stations will be open for a third straight day Thursday in Wake County.