Whether to call off school during snowy weather is not a decision that is taken lightly, Ohio County Board of Education members said Monday.
During a regular meeting, board members said they, in addition to school administrators, have been receiving complaints from parents about class cancellations due to snow. Some parents apparently are not happy with officials' past decisions to not conduct school, despite the road conditions being deemed treacherous for buses.
The latest snowstorm, which dumped up to 24 inches on hilltops over the weekend, has prompted Ohio County officials to again cancel classes today. Another snowstorm is expected to begin today.
Article Photos
Photo by Shelley Hanson
Triadelphia Middle School student Rachel Bugaj, 12, shows off a copy of her winning School Bus Safety State Poster Contest artwork while being congratulated by Ohio County Schools Transportation Director Gary Kestner before a board of education meeting Monday. She is the daughter of Walt and Stephanie Bugaj and sister of John Bugaj, 13.
''No matter who complains, our objective is to keep the students safe,'' said board member Sam Andy.
After the meeting, Superintendent George Krelis noted complaints about using snow days are nothing new, but he said making the decision is never easy. Officials take into account several sources, including reports from the National Weather Service.
''We try to do the best we can with the information that we receive,'' Krelis said, noting he understands parents must adjust their work and babysitting schedules with every cancellation or early dismissal.
Fact Box
THE NEXT MEETING
Ohio County Board of Education meets next at 6 p.m. Feb. 22 at the central office, 2203 National Road, Wheeling.
Board member James Jorden acknowledged some parents are worried about the school system not meeting its required number of instructional days.
''You're not going to please everybody. ... We'll figure out the schedule, we always do,'' Jorden said.
Board members added that main streets may be clear, but there are other roads used by buses that are not.
''Even if you have an early dismissal, you have to worry about the last youngster that gets home - not the first one,'' said board member Thomas Innocenti, noting there is at least one bus that drops off a special education student at about 5 p.m.
In other matters, Nancy Smith, president of the West Virginia School Service Personnel Association of Ohio County, said her group does not plan on asking for pay raises for service workers. She said after talking with the district's finance director, the group realized getting a pay increase was not realistic.
''We're going to leave that in your hands. If you find a way to give a pay raise, that's great. But we're not going to hound you for it,'' Smith said.
For the 2010-11 school year, Smith asked the board to: avoid laying off any service personnel; make an insurance supplement an annual benefit; make dental/vision insurance less expensive for a worker's dependents; add eye laser surgery to the vision insurance; and purchase new floor cleaning machines to replace worn ones.
In other business, the board also recognized Triadelphia Middle School student Rachel Bugaj, 12, for winning the county and state-level School Bus Safety poster contests. This year's theme was ''Cross in View, It's the Right Thing to Do.''
The board also approved Mansuetto Roofing of Martins Ferry to conduct gutter and roof repairs on a portion of Wheeling Park High School's roof for $19,800. The other bidder was Kalkreuth Roofing of Wheeling at $20,500.