I drove my daughter to school this morning and the entire time I was thinking… why are schools open? For while the main roads are clear the side roads are a rutted mess of ice which turned my normally 10 minute round-trip into a harrowing 35 minute keep-my-wits-about-me experience.
There’s no doubt about it. The side roads are dangerous, and the fresh coating of snow – already laying on the clear roads – doesn’t bode well.
While it isn’t my favorite thing to do, I don’t mind driving in snow. But this morning’s commute wasn’t about snow. It was about what happens to snow on roads that haven’t seen a plow. It’s about two lane roads that turn into one. It’s about so much snow piled up on street corners that school children’s only choice in getting around these mountains is walking in the streets – streets with drivers who realize that if they stop they probably won’t move again.
It also occurred to me that if school hadn’t been canceled last week it would have been canceled today. Which makes me question where safety ranked in the decision to open schools. After my morning drive I’m thinking safety wasn’t #1 on the list. My guess is that it ranked third, after the dilemma of making up snow days and the upcoming DSTP. Think I’m over-reacting? Then ask yourself if last weeks snow storm had been our first and only storm would school be open today?
I’m guessing… no.