School canceled in Salina
12/9/2009
By MICHAEL STRAND Salina Journal
During heavy snows, Salina Superintendent Rob Winter is normally up and about by about 4 a.m., checking road conditions first-hand; the decision to call off school is made by 5 a.m.
He beat that by nearly 10 hours, with the district announcing about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday that school would not be in session today.
But many around Salina wondered why he didn't call off school Tuesday, as the city got close to eight inches during the day.
Tuesday afternoon, Winter sent out an e-mail to staff, acknowledging that in hindsight, he might not have made the right call.
"Well, sometimes you make the right call and sometimes maybe not," the note started.
Winter explained that early Tuesday morning, city crews seemed to have the streets well-cleared and that forecasters were predicting just two more inches.
"However, the two inches early this morning quickly grew to between four and six by 7 a.m.," Winter said in his e-mail.
Winter said Tuesday night that some people had asked why, once the snow started piling up, he didn't close schools early.
He said he's never liked letting school out early on short notice, as there's no way to inform all parents of such a decision, and many parents wouldn't be able to make last-minute arrangements for their children.
"If parents know school is out at a certain time, they've made arrangements based on that," Winter said.
And, he added, "They're safe in my buildings, and they're warm in my buildings -- and that's where parents expect them to be."
n Reporter Mike Strand can be reached at 822-1418 or by e-mail at mstrand@salina.com.
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bus stop says....
I feel sorry for the kids
today, they have to get up early to get to the bus stop by 7AM in front
of my house, not sure when they have to be in school. When we had neighborhood schools, schools didn't start so early and kids could walk
because they lived within
walking distance.
Why can't the parents who bring their kids to meet the bus at 7AM just
take them to school? School could lower cost by not having bus transportation.
transportation funds and
12/16/2009
free ride says....
School should not have been canceled. Teachers should have to work over time. May teachers have to work on saturday. kids need all the school they can get so we can remake america. We have to brain wash children nite and day. We have to hurry before the rest of the people wake up. In the words of obama yes we can.
12/15/2009
salinamom09 says....
Oh my, I really can NOT believe that people are on here complaining about wether or not he cancelled school. Just remember that he is human and does make mistakes. So many people on here must be perfect right?!!!! Get over it
12/15/2009
becky says....
At least he had a reason to cancel school. where I am from southwest Texas and they had 2in. of snow last week and cancelled school and the only flight into the airport.
12/15/2009
A Mother says....
Please stop and think of the children that drive to school. My child is a first year driver, I have tried to teach my child to drive in any road conditions. I work to support my family and have choose to work while my child is in school. Knowing that the school will close when the weather permits so my child does not have to be out when the roads are at there worst would put me at ease. I kept my child off the roads when they were bad. Everyone needs to think about the children that will be on the roads because the buses will not travel within a certain distance from the school.
12/14/2009
rickl says....
The previous superintendent would not have cancelled school Tuesday or Wednesday,he was from Minnesota and believed if a kid was well dressed they should be in school. It was bitterly cold Wednesday and that was the best day to be out of school,teachers got their "snow day" and everyones happy. Take a note tho',its not Winters or teachers,its the maintenance and operations dept. that gets the job done,removing snow from parking lots,sidewalks,blacktops etc., at 3-4 in the morning. Special thanks should be given to them, not some guy in a shirt and tie.
12/13/2009
says....
It takes a spectacular person to be responsible for every school aged child in Salina. He did what he thought was best at the time that he made the decision. Whether it was right wrong or indifferent we as the parents have the final say!!! If you don't want your children to go out in the weather keep them home!!!!!
12/12/2009
says....
All parents have the option of calling their child in on days with bad weather. If you have that big of a problem with it...don't send your kid. Was it a good idea to have school on Tuesday? Probably not, but he admitted that. I think he did what he thought was best for students, staff, and the community AT THAT TIME. As far as the students being safe and warm in the buildings...I agree completely! Who knows where a lot of the children would've been otherwise!
12/12/2009
someone says....
At least he canceled classes. FHSU waited until 1:30 pm on Tuesday to cancel them.
12/11/2009
says....
I, too, had grumbled that school was not cancelled on Tuesday. But after reading this article, I have profound respect for the superintendent and his decision. And kudos to him for admitting that maybe he should've made a different decision. That takes integrity! There's a lot for him to consider when making the decision to call off school, a lot more than what some of you are giving him credit for. His logic makes a lot of sense to me! How about we cut him a little slack, shall we?
12/11/2009
A Beloit Girl says....
Hey, guess what...as parents, you have every right to keep your children home if you don't think they should be out in bad weather! You don't need the school to tell you if you think it's too dangerous for you or your children to be out. Just keep your children home that day! Call them in sick...it's not that big of a deal!
12/11/2009
sick of whiners says....
I think all you people need to get jobs and work, you have way too much time to analyze comments made by a professional. If you had something to occupy your time maybe you would be far less critical of those who have to make decisions.
Mr. Winters did an excellent job with this and did what he was paid to do. If you don't like it, go get a degree and become a superintendent yourself!
12/10/2009
Thumbs Up says....
For goodness sakes let it go! Mr. Winters has a lot to consider On a snowy day. Like for instance this child is fine but maybe another child has no food or care! I persnally would not want his job. And excuse me Mr. Taxpayer they are his buildings to be responsible for. First mistake made everyone wants to start this I pay my taxes for that school. I'm so tired of that mind set. Everyone has paid for generations. What if all these teachers went private like daycares bet they would make a lot more money.You walk in a teachers shoes for one day or Mr. Winters! They make very little money compared to what they do for all our children and grandchildren.You try teaching 25 to 30 chidren a day and then you have the parent who said Mrs.Jane did'nt smile just right at little Sally.Parents come unglued. And were talking one child one family! And trust me this can go on dailey. Small situation but its all in a days work for them.Praises from this family....
12/10/2009
Not From says....
I can not believe the issues that some people harp on...and on...and on. C'mon, people - it snowed. Since when is that an emergency?
12/10/2009
says....
mr. winters,
another snow day would be great....
thank you!
12/9/2009
John603 says....
If they closed the schools everytime the weather genies said it was going to snow more than x number of inches the kids would be in school until June. And deep snow doesnt cancel school. Sometimes a little snow and low windchills will cancel school since the kids would be out walking in it
12/9/2009
WDW says....
Come on people!! You know what he meant. The fact he is saying is the kids were safe and in a good place until they got picked up after you got off work. If you felt your child was in danger cuz it was snowing, GO PICK THEM UP. The last time I looked I as a parent am responsible for my child. Take a little responsibility and quit laying it on everyone else. I think his call was right on, besides a weather predicter is not 100%. If he would have called school and it didn't snow any more then you would be dissing him on that. Come on people THINK.
12/9/2009
says....
Mr. Winters stated:
"He said he's never liked letting school out early on short notice, as there's no way to inform all parents of such a decision, and many parents wouldn't be able to make last-minute arrangements for their children.
"If parents know school is out at a certain time, they've made arrangements based on that," Winter said."
Most parents already notice what the weather is like and more then likely already talk to their kids ahead of time. I know that I have told my children that if school lets out early to go to so n so's place. I like to keep track of my children and have back up plans. Does he think that parents are stupid and not think of this when they see bad weather coming?
12/9/2009
snow days says....
All I have to say is the pick up for a child at either South Middle or Lakewood on a day with no weather issues is difficult enough. But when there is bad weather it is almost impossible!
12/9/2009
SoTrue says....
Taxpayer beat me to it so another angle: Maybe Mr. Winters can sue the Weatherman...
The arrogance of it all extends deep into the entitled tax funded entities. They have forgotten they are the servants and we are the served. They have become the entitled
12/9/2009
KAL says....
I think they should have cancelled school Tuesday. I took my daughter out early because of the weather and the roads!! it was terrible!!
12/9/2009
says....
Having School On Tuesday, may have seemed like the right move, and the many things that go into decided whether to have school or not should be considered, such as the places children will go without school, or how well the town and businesses function when a large amount of working parents have to call in because the children do not have school. Some may forget that many parents count on the school as a form of Daycare, in fact that is the purpose for many parents that school serves not just do educate children but also to provide them wiht a place to go when the parents are at work. Not only were the kids in warm building but they were supervised and they were fed. So it would have been better to not have school so that parents and young drivers were not on the roads in dangerous weather. However please remember that many issues are weighted with considering closing school.
12/9/2009
get a life... says....
SJ misquoted Dr. Winter in his letter to staff. He said "our" buildings, not "my" buildings.
12/9/2009
Seriously says....
Good job Mr. Winters. I believe that if you were going to pick between yesterday and today as which days to have kids home today was the good call. The dangerous temperatures combined with parents who don't insist their children wear hats, gloves, coats and snow boots would have made things very bad today. I understand that not all parents can afford such things but they should ask for help.
12/9/2009
says....
Quit your complaining. Mr. Winters does a great job with our schools. People just love to complain and not find positive in anything!! Just amazes me.
12/9/2009
Running For School Board says....
That sounds like a really lame excuse to me as well. I grew up out in the country and attended a rural school myself. It was nothing unusual that when we got storms like the one we got yesterday for us to get dismissed at noon to go home. Parents understand and can make arrangements if their children need to come home early because of the weather. After all, mine did and they both had full time jobs. As for not being able to inform the parents I'm not buying that. The school district has on file the names and contact numbers for every student in the school district just in case such emergency should arrive. Not to mention, I believe that the last time I checked. Just about every classroom has a phone in it these days. So to say you didn't have the resources to make the calls is even more BS.
12/9/2009
good job says....
Mr Winters stock just went up a couple of points...not many people in his position admit they may have made a bad call. Kudos to him.
12/9/2009
idiot says....
Winter explained that early Tuesday morning, city crews seemed to have the streets well-cleared and that forecasters were predicting just two more inches.
"However, the two inches early this morning quickly grew to between four and six by 7 a.m.," Winter said in his e-mail. I dont know what forecast this guy was watching...they were predicting this stuff since last weekend...and he didnt think we were going to get more than 2 more inches yesterday morning..???? Whoa...what kind of degree do you have to have to be a school superintendent. Can i sign up??
12/9/2009
DW says....
I would like to know what forecast Mr. Winters was reading. We heard a forecast of 7-10 inches Monday night and again yesterday morning.
12/9/2009
Taxpayer says....
excuse me Mr Winters, they are not YOUR buildings. they belong to the taxpayers, you know the ones that keep paying you to sue them for more money.
12/9/2009
Salina.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here. Read our full online terms of service policy.
Informed Individual says....
To correct many who think you have the right to call you child in...You actually do not after a certain point. I believe the law states a child cannot miss more than 5 days in any given semester before the law can/does charge parents with a crime.
12/18/2009
bus stop says....
I feel sorry for the kids
today, they have to get up early to get to the bus stop by 7AM in front
of my house, not sure when they have to be in school. When we had neighborhood schools, schools didn't start so early and kids could walk
because they lived within
walking distance.
Why can't the parents who bring their kids to meet the bus at 7AM just
take them to school? School could lower cost by not having bus transportation.
transportation funds and
12/16/2009
free ride says....
School should not have been canceled. Teachers should have to work over time. May teachers have to work on saturday. kids need all the school they can get so we can remake america. We have to brain wash children nite and day. We have to hurry before the rest of the people wake up. In the words of obama yes we can.
12/15/2009
salinamom09 says....
Oh my, I really can NOT believe that people are on here complaining about wether or not he cancelled school. Just remember that he is human and does make mistakes. So many people on here must be perfect right?!!!! Get over it
12/15/2009
becky says....
At least he had a reason to cancel school. where I am from southwest Texas and they had 2in. of snow last week and cancelled school and the only flight into the airport.
12/15/2009
A Mother says....
Please stop and think of the children that drive to school. My child is a first year driver, I have tried to teach my child to drive in any road conditions. I work to support my family and have choose to work while my child is in school. Knowing that the school will close when the weather permits so my child does not have to be out when the roads are at there worst would put me at ease. I kept my child off the roads when they were bad. Everyone needs to think about the children that will be on the roads because the buses will not travel within a certain distance from the school.
12/14/2009
rickl says....
The previous superintendent would not have cancelled school Tuesday or Wednesday,he was from Minnesota and believed if a kid was well dressed they should be in school. It was bitterly cold Wednesday and that was the best day to be out of school,teachers got their "snow day" and everyones happy. Take a note tho',its not Winters or teachers,its the maintenance and operations dept. that gets the job done,removing snow from parking lots,sidewalks,blacktops etc., at 3-4 in the morning. Special thanks should be given to them, not some guy in a shirt and tie.
12/13/2009
says....
It takes a spectacular person to be responsible for every school aged child in Salina. He did what he thought was best at the time that he made the decision. Whether it was right wrong or indifferent we as the parents have the final say!!! If you don't want your children to go out in the weather keep them home!!!!!
12/12/2009
says....
All parents have the option of calling their child in on days with bad weather. If you have that big of a problem with it...don't send your kid. Was it a good idea to have school on Tuesday? Probably not, but he admitted that. I think he did what he thought was best for students, staff, and the community AT THAT TIME. As far as the students being safe and warm in the buildings...I agree completely! Who knows where a lot of the children would've been otherwise!
12/12/2009
someone says....
At least he canceled classes. FHSU waited until 1:30 pm on Tuesday to cancel them.
12/11/2009
says....
I, too, had grumbled that school was not cancelled on Tuesday. But after reading this article, I have profound respect for the superintendent and his decision. And kudos to him for admitting that maybe he should've made a different decision. That takes integrity! There's a lot for him to consider when making the decision to call off school, a lot more than what some of you are giving him credit for. His logic makes a lot of sense to me! How about we cut him a little slack, shall we?
12/11/2009
A Beloit Girl says....
Hey, guess what...as parents, you have every right to keep your children home if you don't think they should be out in bad weather! You don't need the school to tell you if you think it's too dangerous for you or your children to be out. Just keep your children home that day! Call them in sick...it's not that big of a deal!
12/11/2009
sick of whiners says....
I think all you people need to get jobs and work, you have way too much time to analyze comments made by a professional. If you had something to occupy your time maybe you would be far less critical of those who have to make decisions.
Mr. Winters did an excellent job with this and did what he was paid to do. If you don't like it, go get a degree and become a superintendent yourself!
12/10/2009
Thumbs Up says....
For goodness sakes let it go! Mr. Winters has a lot to consider On a snowy day. Like for instance this child is fine but maybe another child has no food or care! I persnally would not want his job. And excuse me Mr. Taxpayer they are his buildings to be responsible for. First mistake made everyone wants to start this I pay my taxes for that school. I'm so tired of that mind set. Everyone has paid for generations. What if all these teachers went private like daycares bet they would make a lot more money.You walk in a teachers shoes for one day or Mr. Winters! They make very little money compared to what they do for all our children and grandchildren.You try teaching 25 to 30 chidren a day and then you have the parent who said Mrs.Jane did'nt smile just right at little Sally.Parents come unglued. And were talking one child one family! And trust me this can go on dailey. Small situation but its all in a days work for them.Praises from this family....
12/10/2009
Not From says....
I can not believe the issues that some people harp on...and on...and on. C'mon, people - it snowed. Since when is that an emergency?
12/10/2009
says....
mr. winters,
another snow day would be great....
thank you!
12/9/2009
John603 says....
If they closed the schools everytime the weather genies said it was going to snow more than x number of inches the kids would be in school until June. And deep snow doesnt cancel school. Sometimes a little snow and low windchills will cancel school since the kids would be out walking in it
12/9/2009
WDW says....
Come on people!! You know what he meant. The fact he is saying is the kids were safe and in a good place until they got picked up after you got off work. If you felt your child was in danger cuz it was snowing, GO PICK THEM UP. The last time I looked I as a parent am responsible for my child. Take a little responsibility and quit laying it on everyone else. I think his call was right on, besides a weather predicter is not 100%. If he would have called school and it didn't snow any more then you would be dissing him on that. Come on people THINK.
12/9/2009
says....
Mr. Winters stated:
"He said he's never liked letting school out early on short notice, as there's no way to inform all parents of such a decision, and many parents wouldn't be able to make last-minute arrangements for their children.
"If parents know school is out at a certain time, they've made arrangements based on that," Winter said."
Most parents already notice what the weather is like and more then likely already talk to their kids ahead of time. I know that I have told my children that if school lets out early to go to so n so's place. I like to keep track of my children and have back up plans. Does he think that parents are stupid and not think of this when they see bad weather coming?
12/9/2009
snow days says....
All I have to say is the pick up for a child at either South Middle or Lakewood on a day with no weather issues is difficult enough. But when there is bad weather it is almost impossible!
12/9/2009
SoTrue says....
Taxpayer beat me to it so another angle: Maybe Mr. Winters can sue the Weatherman...
The arrogance of it all extends deep into the entitled tax funded entities. They have forgotten they are the servants and we are the served. They have become the entitled
12/9/2009
KAL says....
I think they should have cancelled school Tuesday. I took my daughter out early because of the weather and the roads!! it was terrible!!
12/9/2009
says....
Having School On Tuesday, may have seemed like the right move, and the many things that go into decided whether to have school or not should be considered, such as the places children will go without school, or how well the town and businesses function when a large amount of working parents have to call in because the children do not have school. Some may forget that many parents count on the school as a form of Daycare, in fact that is the purpose for many parents that school serves not just do educate children but also to provide them wiht a place to go when the parents are at work. Not only were the kids in warm building but they were supervised and they were fed. So it would have been better to not have school so that parents and young drivers were not on the roads in dangerous weather. However please remember that many issues are weighted with considering closing school.
12/9/2009
get a life... says....
SJ misquoted Dr. Winter in his letter to staff. He said "our" buildings, not "my" buildings.
12/9/2009
Seriously says....
Good job Mr. Winters. I believe that if you were going to pick between yesterday and today as which days to have kids home today was the good call. The dangerous temperatures combined with parents who don't insist their children wear hats, gloves, coats and snow boots would have made things very bad today. I understand that not all parents can afford such things but they should ask for help.
12/9/2009
says....
Quit your complaining. Mr. Winters does a great job with our schools. People just love to complain and not find positive in anything!! Just amazes me.
12/9/2009
Running For School Board says....
That sounds like a really lame excuse to me as well. I grew up out in the country and attended a rural school myself. It was nothing unusual that when we got storms like the one we got yesterday for us to get dismissed at noon to go home. Parents understand and can make arrangements if their children need to come home early because of the weather. After all, mine did and they both had full time jobs. As for not being able to inform the parents I'm not buying that. The school district has on file the names and contact numbers for every student in the school district just in case such emergency should arrive. Not to mention, I believe that the last time I checked. Just about every classroom has a phone in it these days. So to say you didn't have the resources to make the calls is even more BS.
12/9/2009
good job says....
Mr Winters stock just went up a couple of points...not many people in his position admit they may have made a bad call. Kudos to him.
12/9/2009
idiot says....
Winter explained that early Tuesday morning, city crews seemed to have the streets well-cleared and that forecasters were predicting just two more inches.
"However, the two inches early this morning quickly grew to between four and six by 7 a.m.," Winter said in his e-mail. I dont know what forecast this guy was watching...they were predicting this stuff since last weekend...and he didnt think we were going to get more than 2 more inches yesterday morning..???? Whoa...what kind of degree do you have to have to be a school superintendent. Can i sign up??
12/9/2009
DW says....
I would like to know what forecast Mr. Winters was reading. We heard a forecast of 7-10 inches Monday night and again yesterday morning.
12/9/2009
Taxpayer says....
excuse me Mr Winters, they are not YOUR buildings. they belong to the taxpayers, you know the ones that keep paying you to sue them for more money.
12/9/2009
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