Let me begin by saying that I understand the decision to cancel school impacts many people in our community. We make the best decision, based on the information we have, keeping the safety of our students and staff at the forefront.
As always, we hope to make the decision as soon as possible, in order to give our students, their families, and our local employers ample time to adjust to the various issues caused by school cancellation.
I’m glad you are giving me the opportunity to explain the decision I made yesterday afternoon to cancel school for today. I never want to bring children to school, then send them home early. Sending students home early, with very little warning and public communication, increases the potential for our students to arrive home, with no one there waiting for them. Another safety risk I’m not willing to take.
When the forecast gets upgraded to a “warning” that helps trigger our decision to cancel school. WBKO and others upgraded the forecast for Logan County from a watch to a warning late yesterday afternoon.
Let me frame it this way… It’s one thing to drive cautiously when there is snow, but something much different when there is freezing rain and ice. There are too many risks for our busses, as well as our student and staff drivers.
When it’s all said and done, there are times when the weather will make me look like a genius, and other times when it will make me look like a fool. It might be after 5 before the freezing rain gets here, but when it comes to the safety of our students and staff, I’m not willing to gamble.