Schools debate cold-weather closings

Last updated: January 7, 2014 - 7:00am


EDITOR'S NOTE: Here's the complete list of school closings for Tuesday. * Benton, CLOSED * Berwick, CLOSED * Bloomsburg, CLOSED * Bloomsburg Christian, CLOSED * Columbia County Christian, CLOSED * Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech, CLOSED * Danville Area, CLOSED * Millville Area, CLOSED * Northwest Area, CLOSED * Southern Columbia, CLOSED * Saint Columba, Bloomsburg, CLOSED * Saint Joseph's, Danville, CLOSED * Warrior Run, CLOSED DANVILLE -- With temperatures expected to hover around 0 degrees when the kids head off to school tomorrow morning, the frigid weather has at least one superintendent debating a delay or a school closure. As of 6:40 p.m., only Southern Columbia had announced a two-hour delay for Tuesday morning. But Danville Area School Superintendent Cheryl Latorre says she too is considering a two-hour delay Tuesday to give bus drivers enough time to get the buses warmed up and running. "We contacted all our bus contractors to make sure that the buses can and will start and be warm for the students," Latorre said. "But my concern is the kids standing at the stop too long. The wind chill will be in the negative."Closure not ruled outThe temperature won't change much in that two hours, Latorre said, but it ensures that students won't be waiting in below-freezing temperatures for a bus that won't start, she said. Latorre sent a memo out to all of the staff, asking them to remind students to wear their coats and cover up with scarves, hats and gloves. She also worries about the students who walk to school, and says she hasn't ruled out canceling classes altogether. "We're just watching the weather for now," Latorre said. 'Not likely'Harry Mathias, superintendent of Central Columbia School District, said it's not likely that school would be delayed or canceled simply because of the cold. "If that were the only variable, the answer would be no," Mathias said. " I'm not inclined to delay because of that." Mathias said his school doesn't have any students who walk, and anyone who waits at a bus stop should only be outside for a few minutes. "It's been zero (degrees) before," Mathias said. "At what point is too cold? You just have to take care of yourself." Mathias said a two-hour delay just means kids lose valuable time in the classroom. "That's 1,850 kids that lose two hours of instruction, and I'll never get that back," Mathias explained. "The mindset is to always try to get to school if it's safe to do so."Julye Wemple can be reached at julye.wemple@pressenterprise.net, or at 387-1234, ext. 1323.