Clayton County employee tells school board classrooms at Ash Street Center lack heat; superintendent asked to investigate

Harry Menner, an employee at the district’s Ash Street Center, told the Clayton County Board of Education during public participation that “we have several classrooms that do not have heat,” including a classroom with autistic students, and said children were becoming ill because rooms were cold. Menner said he raised the concern so the board would be aware and act to resolve the problem.

The board’s chair thanked Menner for bringing the issue to the board’s attention and asked Superintendent Smith to look into the heating problem “first thing in the morning.” Superintendent Smith agreed to do so. No formal action or vote on facilities expenditures was taken at the meeting; the comment was recorded for administrative follow-up.

Why it matters: lack of heat can affect student health and disrupt instruction, especially for classrooms serving students with special needs. Menner asked for the board’s attention and remediation; the superintendent committed to investigating. The district did not provide a timeline or specify which rooms or buildings would be inspected; funding or repair plans were not discussed during the comment and were listed as to be addressed by administration.

What’s next: Superintendent Smith will follow up with staff about the reported heating failures; the board recorded the comment for administrative action. The transcript does not specify whether the investigation will produce a report to the board or a timeline for repairs.