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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend February 1, 2007 Since You Asked Why did most local schools close early on the snow day Jan. 16 when students are safest in their classrooms off the streets? Riding home at the usual time in school buses driven by professional drivers would be much safer than riding in some cars driven by stressed parents. Many parents' work schedules were disrupted and unnecessary car trips were made on slippery roads that should have been kept cleared for city and state crews to use. If some students or teachers needed to leave early, each school's principal could have allowed them to do so. Doesn't it make sense to keep schools in session for the majority of the students until the "frenzy" has settled down? The Phoenix-Talent School District remained in session all day and our neighborhood children arrived home safely by bus with a half hour or so delay. -- Frank C., southeast Medford (in the Phoenix-Talent district) But those kids were simply itching to get home to play in the snow, Frank! To answer your question, we consulted Phil Long, superintendent of the Medford School District, the county's largest. Advertisement Long said sending students home early appeared to be safest decision at the time. All students arrived home safely. And even with the one-hour-early release, some students didn't arrive home until after 5 p.m. by bus. "We wanted to get kids and employees home safely," Long said. "The weather conditions kept getting worse, not better. It's not an easy decision to make, and snow days are a rare occurrence." Ben Bergreen, Phoenix-Talent superintendent, said his decision to keep regular hours at school Jan. 16 stemmed from a concern over sending elementary pupils to empty residences without child care. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help