On Sunday, January 5th winter storm Blair hit Missouri, causing a mixture of ice and snow in St. Louis. The Fenton area measured to have gotten about 8.5 inches of snow over a thin layer of ice. Thursday, January 9th Rockwood came back to school after having 3 snow days in a row, resulting in backlash from parents and students about coming back and whether the roads and parking lot was safe or not.
Dr. Curtis Cain stated there is a lot that goes into making his decisions for snow days to ensure the safety of the students and staff in the district.
“In St. Louis County, we are in touch with the National Weather Service and have access to the latest reports from them 24 hours a day on an online forum. I am in communication with other superintendents in the area, and we are physically looking at roads and campuses as our facilities crews are working across the district to either pre-treat or clean up from a weather event,” Cain said.
School safety officer Danial Sanders said that although he does think it was harmless for the students to return, it was a little bit of a trouble considering the conditions.
Senior Carter Field’s parking spot was covered in snow, so he decided to take matters into his own hands and shovel it himself.
“I had to park in staff for Thursday and then I actually took it upon myself to shovel out my spot, since it was still covered. I’m not sure what day it was, but after school for like an hour and a half I shoveled it,” Field said.
Junior Olivia Zysk said that she felt it wasn’t safe for students
to return to school because of the drivers who weren’t prepared for that kind of weather.
“No, [it wasn’t safe] because there’s a bunch of inexperienced drivers and there was still a bunch of ice, so I don’t think so,” Zysk said.
Sanders said one precaution he took on Thursday was making it known that he was in the parking lot watching the students, which slowed them down.
“I was really just being present in the parking lot, just because everyone had to drive more slowly and more aware, since they had to go around the snow piles and things like that. When kids see my car that usually slows them down,” Sanders said.
Cain said he felt his decision was right due to the information given to him from the workers who helped clear the snow.
“You know, everyone has an opinion as to whether or not it was safe to come back. Our crews had been working nonstop all week to clear campuses to the best of our ability. We have experienced crews who are led by folks who have worked in this district for three decades, and they have seen a lot of weather events. I rely on their expertise, but ultimately it is my decision and I stand behind it,” Cain said.
