The following is a Benstorming commentary about the reopening of schools and the weather issues surrounding the opening
Baltimore County Public Schools reopened on Monday two hours late and many parents thought the region was not able to handle the traffic and provide safe pedestrian routes. Most of those parents were correct.
The problem is that limited snow removal since last week’s snow storm. A week of below freezing temperatures has made it hard to clear walkways and driveways.
Many sidewalks are also still snow covered, forcing children to walk in the street to get to school.
At Perry Hall Middle School, a small water main break near the school complicated an already chaotic drop off.
After BCPS made the decision to reopen two hours late instead of closing schools, Fifth District School Board Member Julie Henn said she heard many complaints on the decision.
“Emergency school closings and delays are the decision of the Superintendent,” Henn wrote on Sunday night.
“I have escalated community members’ concerns about the safety of tomorrow’s delayed opening plan to the Superintendent and Board leadership.“
After the school day was in the process of starting, BCPS sent out a last minute email stating “weather related absences with a note from a parent/caregiver sent to schools will be excused.”
Many parents question why additional virtual learning was not continued until outside conditions improved.
Shutting down school for another week was impractical decades ago, but modern technology and the experience with Google Meets from the COVID area provided a safer option.
Yes, we know all teachers, some parents and most students hate the online learning environment but it was a safer alternative than this morning’s mess.
BCPS just announced a two-hour delay on Tuesday.
