Snow Day?


As I write this, there's a dusting of new snow outside. While some areas in Michigan got hit harder than others, my local school district is not calling a snow day today. I no longer have to field the endless stream of text messages asking, "Do we have a snow day?" That’s one of the benefits of being retired from my superintendent role. My daughter, who still attends the district I used to lead, is probably experiencing relief—this time from not being embarrassed by her dad’s decision-making!

Snow days hold a unique place in my life—my perspective on them has shifted with time and location. As a student in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, snow days were rare. I can count on one hand how many we had throughout my K-12 years, even though we often received an incredible amount of snow. Back then, funding wasn’t tied to daily attendance, and life couldn’t halt whenever there was a snowfall. Contrast that with my current area of Michigan, where snow days are far more common and often expected.

During my time as superintendent, deciding whether or not to call a snow day was one of the more challenging and scrutinized responsibilities I held. Parents, staff, and students had strong opinions on the matter, and no matter my decision, someone was bound to be unhappy.

The decision-making process wasn’t arbitrary. It involved a combination of factors. I drove several local roads to assess their conditions, consulted with neighboring superintendents, and relied on input from our transportation and maintenance departments. I also closely monitored weather forecasts from multiple sources. However, I learned to take local television weather reports with a grain of salt; they often hyped up potential snowstorms that didn’t materialize. Ultimately, the question guiding my decision was always: What’s in the students' best interest, particularly regarding their safety?

Whenever possible, I tried to make the call the night before to give families time to make arrangements. Yet, even with all the planning and effort, there were times when I got it wrong. Some days, I called off school, and the storm fizzled out; other times, I kept the school open, and conditions turned out worse than expected. Snow days are an inexact science, and district decision-makers are doing their best with the information available.

I’m no longer bound by the 4:00 AM alarms that once dictated my winter mornings. Or so I thought. Old habits die hard, and I still woke up early this morning to check the snow and forecast. It seems ingrained in me.

While today is a regular school day in our district, I know it will be rough for many staff and students who stayed up late, assuming a snow day was inevitable. At least it’s Friday—a small mercy. For those still in the thick of it, remember: snow day decisions are tough, and no one gets it right 100% of the time. So, take it easy on your district’s decision-makers. They’re doing their best to keep everyone safe and informed—sometimes, even they could use a snow day.

Read more brief articles about public education from a former teacher, administrator, and recently retired superintendent on LinkedIn, Medium, WordPress, Substack, Blogger, Wix, X, or Instagram.

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