Highland Park School fails to notify all parents of space heaters being used due to broken boiler

HIGHLAND PARK, MI (WXYZ) - Many of the students and teachers at Highland Park Renaissance Academy wore their coats and hats inside the school building Monday due to boiler problems that left them without heat. 

7 Action News learned that some parents were not even notified that the heat was out or that about 200 students were separated into three rooms including the library and gymnasium to utilize space heaters.

"Yes, we should have notified them," said Anthony Hubbard, Regional Director for The Leona Group, a charter school management company that is contracted to run Highland Park's three public schools.

Hubbard says the boiler problem forced them to cancel classes one day early last week, but today they opted to open and bring in space heaters.

The Highland Park Renaissance Academy - Henry Ford Campus on Pilgrim Street is for students pre-K to 8th grade.

On Tuesday, 7 Action News was shown the library where dozens of children could be found either watching an animated film or in small groups with teachers.

Concerned about the number of children being packed into each room, Byron Stafford, a father of four students, said he knew there was a problem with the heat last week, but had no idea there was no heat in the school today.

"There should be no need to use space heaters. They should just call parents to get their children," said Stafford.

There is no school on Tuesday because of a previously scheduled program for teachers.

Hubbard tells 7 Action News that while they hope to have the boiler fixed by late Tuesday so they can resume classes as planned on Wednesday, it is possible school will be canceled if the heating problem isn't fixed.

Stay with 7 Action News for updates.