Milwaukee Public Schools closed Wednesday, Sept. 2, due to excessive heat

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) will be closed Wednesday, Sept. 2, due to excessive heat in the forecast.

The district says the decision was made in accordance with guidance from the Milwaukee Health Department.

All schools will be closed, and all MPS before and after-school recreation and athletic programs are canceled. 

Central Services and administrative buildings will remain open. 

Only 25% of MPS classrooms have air conditioning, according to the district. 

CBS 58 spoke with Superintendent Brenda Cassellius Tuesday morning about the upcoming heat and the impact it can have on students and teachers. 

"It's going to be hot, as it has been year after year, so we have to have a conversation with the community about what kind of school environments and learning environments we want to send our children to," Cassellius said. 

Cassellius says the average age of schools in the district is 85 years old. 

"We have to step up and do something, and I think we get to the point where we have to start replacing these old buildings," Cassellius said.