Snow day decisions aren’t easy
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, March 1st, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – InterMountain Education Service District Superintendent Mark Mulvihill says that he imagines school district superintendents would agree that making the decision about whether to call a snow day is one of the jobs they like the least. He said input from both the school bus company and weather forecasts play heavily in the decision, which must be driven first and foremost by safety.
“You’re looking at a wide K-12 audience,” he said. “You’re trying to anticipate kindergarten walkers. You’re trying to anticipate 16-year-old first-year drivers.”
Mulvihill also pointed out that in the Pendleton that district also has to worry about its ability to safely transport students from Adams and the Cabbage Hill area. In addition, superintendents must consider safety concerns for staff.
In addition to those issues, Mulvihill said districts have to consider collective bargaining agreements and how they can make up for lost instructional time. Oregon’s school year is one of the shortest in the nation, and he feels every minute of learning is vital for children.
He’s heard superintendents criticized for closing down when people thought things weren’t that bad. He’s also heard them criticized for staying open when parents thought conditions were too dangerous. He said there is one basic truth. The ultimate decision rests with the parents.
“Parents are the ultimate decision makers on attendance and enrollment in a school,” Mulvihill said.
