Schools’ goal: Stay open

The decision to delay or cancel school during inclement weather is a moving target based on factors including children’s safety, whether sidewalks and school parking lots are clear, if buildings have power and heat and whether buses can navigate the roads.

Up until the winter of 2008, Spokane Public Schools hadn’t had a snow closure in two decades. Now, the region’s largest district and districts in the surrounding area have snow days as part of the academic year’s schedule.

“We haven’t had a lot of experience with this. Every day is just a little different,” said Terren Roloff, Spokane Public Schools spokeswoman. “Is it ice? Is it wind? Is it snow? Is it snow berms?”

If schools can be open, they’re open, she said. “That’s our job. School is the safest place for many of our children because there’s food, warmth and supervision.”

The district began preparing the schools about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday and made a decision early to hold school as planned.

Roloff said each time there is inclement weather, the decision-making and notification systems are set in motion.

“If we haven’t said anything by 6:30 a.m., we’re open,” Roloff said. “But if we do decide to cancel, the next step is to notify the media, post it on the home Web page, Facebook, then Twitter.”

Jody Lawrence-Turner