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Open Schools During Blizzards?

Burtonpe

Some members of Albemarle county's school board supported keeping schools open during winter storms by temporarily switching school bus stops to the major roads most likely to be plowed first. However, the idea of schoolkids hiking slippery snowbound secondary roads in wind chill conditions alarmed some board members. Keeping school open would also put many high school student-drivers on the unplowed roads to reach their schools. Another hurdle for the proposed snow "Plan B" would be the 100 or so special education students with legal mandates requiring the county to provide door-to-door transportation. Some board members wondered whether such a small number of special cases should infringe upon the majority (of around 14,000 students). Other members said that roads too dangerous for school busses would of course also be too dangerous for parents attempting to drive their children to a distant bus stop or directly to a still-open school. The snow Plan B was tabled for later consideration pending receipt of more information. With Spring underway, odds are there will be plenty of time before the area sees another winter storm. CvilleTomorrow has detailed coverage of the debate and shows which board members supported which sides of the issue.

 

Terry Ward was a WMRA producer and announcer from 1997 to 2016.
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