Students who attend schools in Baltimore County that do not have air conditioning may finally get some relief.

On Tuesday night, the Baltimore County Board of Education approved a policy that will help students in jurisdictions without air conditioning.

Under the new policy, if the heat index is forecast to reach a temperature of 90 degrees or more, the superintendent must close schools or institute early dismissal in the 21093, 21133, 21222, 21228 or 21234 zip codes.

Schools will be closed if the heat index is set to reach 90 degrees by 11 a.m. Early dismissal will go into effect if the heat index will hit 90 degrees by 2 p.m.

The superintendent is required to announce the closure or early dismissal by 8 p.m. the night before.

The new policy also allows students to carry water bottles at all times and it gives school principals the discretion to move students to cooler rooms.

You can read the new policy in full by clicking here.