September 8, 2022 10:20 a.m.

With the local weather forecast calling for extreme heat conditions, Roseburg Public Schools will have early release at all of its schools on Friday.

Superintendent Jared Cordon said this is being done to protect the health and safety of students and staff, and to comply with new heat-related Oregon Occupational Health and Safety rules that went into effect this summer.

Release times will be two hours earlier than normal school days. School buses will operate on a modified schedule. Breakfast and lunch will be served at school. Cordon said this modified day will be similar to a snow day, with remote learning not required for the afternoon.

Release times are:

*12:45 p.m. for Roseburg High School

*12:20 p.m. for Fremont and Jo Lane

*1:30 p.m. for all elementary schools

Cordon said the decision was made due to the district’s lack of central air conditioning and air exchange in its schools, which impacts its ability to comply with the new Oregon OSHA rules.

OSAA-sponsored activities planned for later in the day, when temperatures begin to fall, will likely be able to proceed as normal.