Removed By Request.

UptownGirl : Absolutely. I needed an easy drive to work day.

I'm a mixed bag on this one. Do I think they called it too soon, yes. But then there have been times when my kids were younger and school wasn't called until last minute and that put me in a bind. It's sort of a no win situation for the district. Parents are going to be disappointed either way. It is what it is so I just roll with it.

I was going to ask something similar. We are new here, having spent the last 4 years in SD and the 10 before that in NM. I did grow up on the east coast in the land of Atlantic Hurricanes and Nor'easters and I can't remember them ever closing for the day ahead of any true threat since this seems pretty minor in the grand scheme of things. But maybe I just don't know how bad things can get here yet?

Athens85 :
I assume this is why schools start so early here? To cover missed days like today?

Athens85 : One district just called out this morning and that does put parents of young children in a bind for childare.

UptownGirl :
It is a hard decision but my district has many rural areas with prone to flooding roads. Many students have to walk or be driven to bus stops over a mile from their homes. Most employees commute in from the surrounding areas. Based on the forecast, this is the safe decision.

jd0124 : I thought the early starting was to cover the October and February breaks.

UptownGirl : I have no kids in school but I am glad they did it. There is no way to know where the storm is going. It is better this way. The down side is the parents who now have to find someone to watch their kids.

UptownGirl :
Exactly. I remember when big hurricane's like Andrew, Hugo and then later Isabelle hit, and until it was actually imminent they didn't call school. I guess I am just getting used to our "new normal" in Texas. But as they say, everything is bigger in Texas so I am assuming that is the storms too. Although I do recall a few big snow storms when I was in Middle and High school in 93 and 96 that did shut us down for a week or so.

UptownGirl : I know but, it is unpredictable. I would hate it if I was at work and my kid had to walk home in extremely heavy rain. Can you imagen the pickup lines? In the end, not having school may not have been the right decision but a decision had to be made and I do think it was best to do it early enough for people to be able to make arrangements for their kids.

I think it is better to err on the side of caution. They aren't future tellers. Also a lot of their auxiliary staff like bus drivers and cafeteria workers drive in from more rural areas.
I think of it this way- I much rather have schools close than worry about school buses trying to navigate through storm waters at dismissal time.

UptownGirl :
I'm fine with them closing the schools today, and keeping an eye on tomorrow. We don't know how bad it's going to get this afternoon. I would rather there be an abundance of caution, then have a lot of people get stuck out there in traffic and in a possible flooding situation. I was in that position years ago, and it was scary and awful for both me and my son.