Slippery Rock Area School District will have to use a second flexible instructional day Thursday, Jan. 22, for Moraine Elementary School after issues with the heating system caused “unsatisfactory” temperatures of about 60 degrees.

In an email sent to district parents, superintendent Alfonso Angelucci said the temperatures at Moraine Elementary School on Tuesday, Jan. 20, were lower than what the school would consider acceptable for a learning environment.

“The issue with the boilers and heating system is being addressed this week. A better plan for more consistent checks regarding building temperatures will occur, as well,” Angelucci said.

District parents said Tuesday the school building was roughly 60 degrees. Outside temperatures were in the single digits and low-to-mid teens Tuesday.

Building principal Kristie Shulsky sent a message out to parents Tuesday via the ParentSquare app that morning stating the building was cool and asking parents to make sure their children dress warmly.

Angelucci told parents the district received an update after buses were running Tuesday morning that Moraine temperatures were colder than expected. It was decided it was safer to bring students to school than return them to home, where some students could have been dropped off to locked or empty houses in single-digit temperatures.

Angelucci said Tuesday evening, the heating system and boilers are being addressed by technicians to minimize any lingering concerns.

The school had a flexible learning day Wednesday out of caution, while the boiler systems were repaired.

Angelucci sent an email Wednesday afternoon stating that, while an HVAC technician made progress on fixing the system and building temperatures are rising, it would not be ready for students and staff to return Thursday morning.

“Our technician is confident that we will be ready to return on Friday,” Angelucci’s Wednesday email read.