by Ben Kouchnerkavich
The Holland Public Schools were closed on Monday, January 28, and again on Friday,
February 1 due to inclement weather conditions. The closings prompted questions about the process involved in canceling school due to inclement weather. Superintendent Brian Davis sent out a message on the Holland Public Schools web site, allowing
everyone who had questions to get them cleared up. Mr. Davis also responded to an email sent to him by a student reporter about the situation.
Here’s what Mr. Davis highlights as the primary factors one
must consider in the school closing decision-making process:
• Amount
of snow accumulation
• Forecast
for more snow
• Ice
• Wind
impacting visibility, blowing and drifting of snow, and wind chill
• Actual
air temperature and highs/lows for the day
• The
conditions of roads and resulting impact of city snow removal, road crews from
the townships and our own contracted snow removal work
• The
conditions of sidewalks in the school district
• Time
of day, i.e. evening events or activities
On Monday the 28th, there was no measurable snow
accumulation. The main concern for that day was freezing drizzle. It
doesn’t take a lot of freezing rain (no matter how light it is) to make
roadways very slick. The highest wind gust was 23 mph, the high temperature was
44, and the low temperature was 33. Mr. Davis was considering a 2-hour delay
for this.
From Thursday the 31st to Saturday the 2nd,
the Holland area saw 7.3” of snow (based on a report sent to the National
Weather Service). The forecast was calling for 6-10” of snow to fall. Snow and
ice-covered roads were a big problem, resulting in a pile-up involving over 20
vehicles near Paw Paw, in Van Buren county. The highest wind gust measured at
the West Michigan Regional Airport (formerly known as Tulip City Airport) was
35 mph. This is more than enough to cause widespread blowing and drifting of
snow, as well as reduced visibilities. The high temperature on Friday was 19,
and the low was 14. The worst conditions were experienced Thursday afternoon
through Thursday Night. Activities were cancelled on Thursday evening for the
district.
A big concern for Mr. Davis was that novice drivers who did not
experience the seemingly snow-less 2011-2012 season would not be prepared for
the conditions they faced on these mornings.
“We have been very fortunate not to have more extreme
weather conditions that have impacted our roads,” he said. “The first snowfall
of any year reminds all of us of the need to take extra precaution, drive slower-below
any posted speed limits, and allow extra stopping distance at intersections. We
do live in a winter climate and we have to be prepared to drive in these
conditions when it is advised safe to do so. We also have to dress
appropriately.”
He went on to say, “The other unknown piece about living on
the lakeshore is that the weather conditions can change at any time. It can be
safe during one time period in the morning and weather patterns can change in
the afternoon.”
Dealing with lake-effect snow in Michigan can be a very
difficult challenge even for the most experienced of drivers. Heavy lake-effect
snow bands can frequently shift back and forth from area to area. Sometimes,
the heaviest snow is falling over Grand Haven, then it falls over Holland,
and soon it’s over Kalamazoo. It can then shift back northwestward again.
“I actually drive the roads in the morning, typically
beginning about 5:00 AM, along with additional individuals from the district,”
said Davis. “I coordinate with the local police, read advisories from the
Michigan State Police, use three different web sources for wind chill and
temperature, in addition to consulting with my colleagues across Ottawa County
including other superintendents. This doesn't happen every morning, but it does on days
when weather is called into question.”
On the Friday that school was cancelled, some expressed
concern that the closing announcement was made for Holland Public Schools at a
later than ideal time.
“The decision to close school is made by 6:15 AM,” said
Davis. “Once this decision is made, several calls are made. The first thing
that is updated is our hotline number at 494-2095. Our web page banner is the
next thing to be updated. We then contact the media. It can sometimes take 10-15
minutes before you will see the scroll on the TV stations. By 1:00 each day, we
also consider evening events and activities.”
“I thought the weather conditions were poor on Friday
morning, but I also know Holland has a reputation for staying open even when
nearby districts close,” said Intro to Tech teacher Greg Ceithaml. “I checked the
Holland Public Schools website banner at 5:45 AM [and there was no announcement
about school being cancelled]. So I got ready to go to school, and I was
pleasantly surprised when just before leaving, I checked one last time, and
school was cancelled. I like school, but snow days are fun too,” he added with a chuckle.
Even though snow days can be thought of as an enjoyable day
off, many students need to have school in order to get a meal.
“If we don't have school there are students who have not
eaten since lunch the day prior or week prior if the decision is on a Monday,”
Davis remarked. “Over 60% of our students rely on the district for some form of
breakfast, lunch and even supper. While you may not be aware, we send home
backpacks with food for students over the weekend to ensure that they have
something to eat (with the support of our church partners). I also consider the
number of young children who are home alone who do not have supervision as
their parent or both parents have to work when school is canceled. Certainly
safety and the protection of our students in all circumstances is the highest
priority. There are multiple factors that have to be considered and I do not
take this decision lightly. It is the single most difficult decision each year
when I consider everyone arriving to school safely.”
Sometimes other schools are relied upon to help Holland
Public Schools make their decision.
“Schools have also become much more dependent upon each
other,” Superintendent Davis said. “We share many different services. So, if all of our
neighboring schools are closed, in addition to the Intermediate School District
and Tech Center, then there is a strong possibility that we will close as well.
If Holland Public Schools closes, Holland Christian generally has to close. If
West Ottawa closes, Holland Christian generally has to close as Holland
Christian relies on both districts for transportation services. As we are
basically a city school district, many of the roads and sidewalks are cleared.
We do not have the same level of rural roads that West Ottawa and Zeeland
Public Schools have. For example, Holland Public Schools is about 17 square
miles while West Ottawa and Zeeland Public Schools are close to, or over 100
square miles.”
“Only approximately 700 HPS students ride the school bus,” noted
Davis. “That means another 3300 are either driving, walking or riding with
someone else to school."
