Minneapolis students face searing hot return

Washburn Millers' stadium
Minneapolis public school students return to class to today, in the middle of a brutal heatwave. Members of the girls' soccer team warmed up before a match at Washburn's stadium on Thursday, August 15, 2013.
MPR Photo/Hart Van Denburg

More than 34,000 students head back to school this week in Minneapolis and the excessive heat will make it uncomfortable for some.

Minneapolis Public Schools say they will provide emergency water on request to schools that are not fully air-conditioned. The water will be offered to students and staff who don't have easy access to drinking fountains.

Eighteen of the district's buildings do not have air conditioning. Another 11 have limited air conditioning.

In southwestern Minnesota classes are already underway in some districts.

John Landgaard, superintendent of the Worthington School District, said all of his buildings have air-conditioning.

"Our kitchen in the high school is not air conditioned, so we have to pay attention to our employee needs and make sure they get out and get fresh air, so they don't get overheated," he said.

Excessive heat is expected to blanket much of the region through Wednesday.

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