Green Local Schools in Summit County canceled classes on Monday after a severe cold snap prevented several school buses from starting. The vehicles, currently parked outdoors during the construction of a new bus garage, were unable to operate in the frigid temperatures, leading administrators to declare a calamity day to ensure student safety.
Key Takeaways
- Green Local Schools canceled classes on Monday due to buses not starting in extreme cold.
- The issue stems from buses being parked outside while a new, heated garage is under construction.
- Three buses failed, impacting seven routes and potentially leaving students waiting in the cold for up to 30 minutes.
- This marks the district's seventh calamity day this year, a figure officials describe as well above average.
- The district does not anticipate needing to add make-up days due to extra hours built into the school schedule.
A Frigid Morning Scrambles School Plans
Parents and students in the Green Local School district received an early morning notification that school was canceled on Monday. The decision was made shortly before 6 a.m. after district transportation staff discovered that three buses would not turn over in the freezing conditions.
These three vehicles were responsible for seven different routes. According to district officials, attempts to re-route other buses would have resulted in significant delays. This could have left children waiting at bus stops in dangerously cold weather for as long as 30 minutes.
Why Were the Buses Outside?
The core of the problem is a temporary logistical challenge. The district's old bus garage has been demolished to make way for a new, modern facility. Until construction is complete, the entire fleet of school buses must be parked outside, fully exposed to the winter elements.
Faced with a choice between significant delays and student safety, administrators opted to use one of the district's designated calamity days.
District Officials Address Parent Concerns
The sudden cancellation placed an unexpected burden on many families. Julie McMahan, the district's coordinator for communications and community relations, acknowledged the difficulty the decision caused for parents.
"We definitely understand it. We appreciate it, and we would not have called this day unless we thought it was absolutely necessary," McMahan stated. "We just really apologize for any inconvenience this morning, but we erred on the side of caution."
McMahan assured the community that the district does not take such decisions lightly. She also confirmed that staff spent Monday working to charge the bus batteries and implement contingency plans to prevent a similar issue from occurring on Tuesday.
Calamity Days and the School Calendar
Monday's closure marked the seventh calamity day used by Green Local Schools this academic year. McMahan noted this number is far above the district's average, reflecting a particularly challenging winter.
By the Numbers: The Impact
- 3 buses failed to start.
- 7 routes were directly affected.
- 7th calamity day used by the district this year.
- Up to 30 minutes of potential wait time for students in the cold.
Despite the high number of closures, parents may not need to worry about the school year being extended. The district's daily schedule includes more instructional time than required by the state.
"Green Local Schools, we kind of pride ourselves on having a vigorous academic day," McMahan explained. "So, we have additional hours built into the day far above what the state mandates."
This buffer of extra time means the district still has a few calamity days available before make-up days would be required. Should they exhaust their remaining days, McMahan mentioned that creative solutions, including online learning options, could be used to make up for lost time.
A Permanent Solution on the Horizon
This winter's transportation issues are expected to be a temporary problem. The new bus garage, currently under construction, is designed to prevent these exact situations in the future.
Once completed, each parking bay in the new facility will be equipped with a block heater. These devices will keep the bus engines and batteries warm overnight, ensuring they can start reliably even on the coldest winter mornings.
McMahan said that once the new garage is operational, this specific type of weather-related disruption will be far less of a concern for the district, its students, and their families.