Parents have the power to call a snow day

COLUMBIA BASIN – School districts started yesterday announcing delays due to the winter storm. As usual, the question of when to decide a delay or closure is something administrators and the bus companies work hard to determine.

Hermiston School District Assistant Superintendent Jake Bacon said that in his district Superintendent Tricia Mooney, Director of Transportation Larry Usher, and he head out in the wee hours to check out road conditions. They work closely with First Student, Hermiston’s bus company.

He said that there are a large number of side roads that are not that easy to navigate and in addition a lot of students walk to school.

“We’ve got to make sure it’s just as safe for them to walk to school just as it is for them to be on that bus,” Bacon said.

He added that notifications are sent out as quickly as possible by text, the district website, and Facebook. Elkhorn Media Group is also notified by the district and posts school closures and delays. However, Bacon said, the decision on whether a student can get to school safely is up to parents and guardians.

“The bottom line is, the call sits with them,” he said. “’Do I send my child or not?’ That’s the parents’ call.”

He said parents and guardians should communicate with their students schools regarding a parental decision to declare it’s a snow day.

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Elkhorn Media Group

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