Through the Eyes of….PN Media News Director Chase Snider
Update: Springfield Public Schools will be closed Friday, January 8, 2010. Administrative offices will be open. All 12-month employees should report for work. Those who cannot must report their absences as vacation.
UPDATE 5:30 AM- FirstAlert: Springfield Public Schools will be closed Thursday, January 7, 2010.
UPDATE: New Covenant Academy cancels classes
UPDATE: A source close to PN Media tells us within the hour New Covenant Academy in Southwest Springfield will cancel classes for Thursday.
UPDATE: Springfield Police Department just issued a State of Emergency. I am investigating this further and will see if Springfield Public Schools agree. Stay tuned for updates….
Springfield – So everyone is texting, Facebooking, and Tweeting me…School tomorrow? Here’s the answer…. There’s not really a clear answer. This is one of the few times I completely agree with the school district for waiting until the morning. After talking with KSPR meteorologist Kevin Lighty and hearing his nightly predictions it would appear Springfield is on the edge…no literally the edge between 2-3 inches and just a dusting. However, what I think has to be taken into mind is A. the temperatures. Norm Ridder and the Springfield Public School district can compare it to Minnesota or the Artic Circle for all I care. Here’s the FACTS-
- Negative temperatures are NOT normal for Springfield (i.e. high for Tuesday in 2008 was 72)
- You can say “dress warmly” but at 1.5 for elementary and 3.0 for upper-level walking levels frostbite can take affect in less than 25 minutes. With an average walk time of 14-15 minutes per mile that is NOT a good situation.
- Sidewalks… including those of some schools are NOT shoveled
- Let’s face it many of our North side schools have high low income rates and parents can not afford to purchase extra clothing layers for one week increments.
- Finally, most Springfield side road conditions have NOT improved and this will only add to the amount.
That being said I DON’T think school should be in session Thursday. A local meteorologist tells us conditions when the SPS recommendation crew goes out at 3:30 will include some lighter snow but possible blowing due to the winds creating low visibility. Weather the district considers this will be gone by start of schools or follow closer to policy and base it off current conditions I can’t say. PN Media was denied by Springfield Public Schools from bringing you video or coverage by riding along with the crew or following in our own car. Guess maybe we’ll never know where they actually check. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS IN A COMMENT. Get all the latest though by networking with us through the following…
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