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Ritchie Elementary School Still Too Hot for Students in Wheeling

WHEELING — Portable air conditioners continue to cool the first and second floors at Ritchie Elementary School, but stifling heat still is keeping students from attending classes on the third floor.

Fourth- and fifth-grade students at Ritchie will continue reporting to temporary classrooms at Wheeling Middle School until at least the middle of this week, according to officials with Ohio County Schools. They have been at Wheeling Middle School since the school year began.

Ritchie School is without a functioning air conditioning system as it undergoes a $7.1 million renovation project.

The temperature on the first and second floors at Ritchie is “fine,” according to Principal John Jorden, as temporary portable air conditioners continue to run throughout the school.

“The third floor is cooling off, but we’re not ready to pull the trigger yet (and bring the students back to Ritchie classrooms),” he said. “They have everything they need where they’re at.”

About 100 students are beginning their school day at Ritchie with breakfast, then being transported to nearby Wheeling Middle School. They are bused back to Ritchie at the end of the day.

Jorden praised parents for the patience and understanding they’ve displayed during the situation.

“I think it’s because I communicate with them,” he said. “Parents get a letter on Fridays telling about the school, and a text message from me on Sundays.”

He also commended Wheeling Middle School Principal Richard McArdle for his efforts in leading the school to accommodate the Ritchie Elementary students.

Superintendent Kimberly Miller said administrators hope to have the students back at Ritchie Elementary School this week.

“We are working closely with the construction team and Ritchie Elementary School Principal John Jorden to ensure that the students return to their home classrooms as early as possible,” she said.

“We appreciate the Wheeling Middle School staff working with us in making Ritchie students as comfortable as possible, and helping us to ensure that our Ritchie students continue to learn. We also want to thank the Ritchie Elementary School staff and community for their patience and understanding as we move forward with this major project.”

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