To close or not to close?

by Emily Dulanski
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, January 9, 2010

A view of a snow-covered Robert Moses Parkway on Monday morning from the Pletcher Road overpass.
Lewiston-Porter schools were open Monday despite heavy snows that hit much of northern Niagara County.
(photo by Terry Duffy)

As we trudge deeper into the winter season, the inclement weather so often associated with the Buffalo area once again begins to affect our lives in many ways, from inconveniences in travel to outright hazards.

One major consideration when severe weather hits, as was the case this week with heavy snowfalls in Niagara County, is with our schools.

While children anxiously await these “snow days,” superintendents have much to consider when making the decision whether or not to close a school.

One prominent factor in school closings is the driving conditions, such as icy roads and how fast the snow is falling.

“It depends on how well road crews can clear the area ... they’re more apt to tell us what we need to do,” says Christopher Roser, superintendent of the Lewiston-Porter Central School District. Roser as do other superintendents, works with highway departments and also receives input from local law enforcement agencies, such as Lewiston and Youngstown police, Niagara County Sheriff’s Department and State Police.

Another factor to consider is where the teachers live, and if they would be unable to get to work. This means that superintendents must keep an eye on the news and stay in contact with the other areas.

“All superintendents call each other to determine the conditions,” said Roser. “It’s a team effort to decide (to close the school).”

In addition to the snowfall, icy conditions and at times extreme cold temperatures and the impact of wind chills on students come into play when deciding whether or not to close. And oftentimes there is only a small time frame available to make the final decision to close the school.

“I get up around 4:30 or 5 a.m.,” said Roser. “I look at the radar and the TV. The first bus leaves a little after 6 a.m., so we have to decide before that.”

These decisions are not made lightly or on a whim by one person, but involve a group effort from different parts of the community. While there is no particular gauge on the temperature or amount of snow when determining whether or not to close a school, the superintendents must ultimately make the decision that is safest for the students.