January 25, 2022 | It’s the question on everyone’s mind and probably the biggest decision Lorain Schools CEO Dr. Jeff Graham makes in the education realm: When is it too cold or snowy to keep schools open?
No matter the answer, someone says he should have gone in the other direction.
But today, we go right to the source for the answer.
And, it turns out the answer is not so easy.
“It’s not an algebraic formula where we plug in a bunch of things and come up with an answer,” Dr. Graham said.
There are a lot of factors that go into canceling school due to inclement weather.
Here are some of the questions Dr. Graham said he answers each time there is a winter weather event: How much snow has fallen? When has it fallen? Can we take care of the parking lots and sidewalks around our buildings? Can the city adequately handle snow removal on primary and secondary roads? What is the temperature outside? How is visibility? How much snow has fallen recently, and are sidewalks packed with snow? Will snow-covered sidewalks force our students to walk in the street where it is not safe? Will young student drivers have a hard time traveling on slick roads? What is the wind chill factor?
It is not just the questions he asks himself. While Graham said he typically would make a decision for Lorain City Schools independent of other school districts and in the best interest of Lorain students and families, he will sometimes talk to neighboring districts and districts with similar concerns to see what other school leaders are thinking, while checking – and rechecking – local weather forecast.
He doesn’t have much time to ponder the what-ifs either.
Lorain High School — our building with the earliest start time — starts classes at 7:25 AM, but staff, teachers, and students arrive far sooner.
So today, as you are wondering if we will see a snow day or two this school year, you can rest assured that Dr. Graham is thinking about it, too — a lot.
[Does your child need warm clothes, a winter hat, coat, or gloves? We have resources available to help all students. Please get in touch with your building’s principal, who can connect you to a social worker or counselor to ensure your child is appropriately dressed for the winter season.]
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