Student Heatwave Walkout

How the Walkout Unfolded

The protest erupted during an early September heat advisory when the National Weather Service forecasted heat index values near 100°F across the Cincinnati region. WMBF News reported that Andrew Nelsen and other student organizers planned the action beforehand. "Me and the kids that were doing the announcement, we were like, 'We're going to say something today and we'll probably do a walkout'," Nelsen said. He grabbed the intercom during the school day and directed upperclassmen to gather in the lobby. Dozens responded immediately.

The students' core complaint was simple: learning became impossible in sweltering classrooms. They demanded the school either declare a "heat day" like snow days, or dismiss students early. According to FOX19, district cooling stations were deployed throughout the building, but students said these weren't enough. By that evening, Superintendent Anthony Smith announced via email that the secondary campus would close on Friday.

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District Says Closure Was Pre-Planned

Superintendent Anthony Smith pushed back against the idea that the walkout forced the school's hand. He told FOX19 that district officials continuously monitored heat indices and that the Friday closure decision was made before students protested. Smith emphasized that "student safety is a top priority" and that cooling stations gave students safe spaces throughout the day. The district framed the closure as part of standard safety protocols, not as a capitulation to student demands.

A Bigger Problem: Aging School Buildings Without Air Conditioning

Finneytown Secondary Campus is one of many older Midwestern schools lacking modern HVAC systems. According to reporting on the incident, the district has lost up to five instructional days in a single month during previous September heat waves. In 2018 and 2019, extreme temperature disruptions forced the school to close or release students early repeatedly. These recurring closures disrupt learning schedules and force families to scramble for childcare on short notice.

Relief is on the horizon—but not fast enough for some students. FOX19 reported that a newly constructed campus facility with full central air conditioning is scheduled to open in December 2024. The move represents a major infrastructure upgrade that should eliminate the annual heat crisis. Until then, the district will likely face more heat days, more walkouts, and growing pressure from students and parents to fix the problem immediately.