Students at Mount Hebron High School in Ellicott City were dismissed at 10: 15 a.m. yesterday after timers -- which normally activate the air conditioning about 90 minutes before school begins -- failed.

After the head custodian and two heating-and-air-conditioning specialists were unable to make repairs, school was dismissed because of the heat, said Assistant Principal Jack Bridner.

The air conditioning was fixed and operating again by about 2 p.m., he said.

"It should be much better" today, Bridner said. "We have our fingers crossed."

Pub Date: 8/27/98