I understand that some roads were in very poor condition this morning. But many roads were just fine. I agree with RCS's decision to hold classes today, especially since they announced that students would not be penalized if they could not safely get to school. For those students who COULD safely get to school, there was no reason for them to miss another day.

There used to be the option to have schools open, but buses would run on "main roads only." Having it established in advance what were the "main roads", parents then had the option to get their student to the main road bus stop for pick up (or not - if they felt their road was too treacherous). Most of the time a parent in an AWD, front wheel drive or 4WD vehicle can maneuver back roads much better than a bus.

The District did not close Hugger on Tuesday. It was forced by the Oakland County Sheriff's Department who deemed Sheldon dangerous. How embarrassing. If the process of closing the schools is based on safety - Hugger should have been closed without intervention by law enforcement. After making the harrowing trip up Sheldon, school was closed before 9:00. If a bus can't make it safety to school then parents shouldn't be expected to - 4W drive is not a prerequisite for parents.

I think what a lot of people in Rochester don't realize is that Hugger Elementary School is OFF of Sheldon Road--a DIRT road--and a long stretch of dirt road at that! A bus pickup on main roads only could/would not apply here. The busses and cars were getting stuck yesterday on the only way to the school entrance. While I understand that the roads in the southern areas of Rochester are mainly paved the majority of our roads in the northern part of the district are not. There are times when they should make the call to close only certain schools--just as they would for a building problem. There were many communication issues as well. Parents of kids at Hart Middle School were getting the emergency calls that their busses would not be taking them home 2-5 minutes before school was actually out. These issues are unacceptable with the technology available!

That the entire district's attendance should be determined by one quadrant is ridiculous. If dirt roads are the issue, then it's quite simple to implement a MAIN ROAD PICKUP ONLY. Growing up in Lapeer County, my husband lived his entire school life by this rule. His parents never owned an SUV, or a 4WD vehicle... 8" of show, or icy conditions, they simply got in the car and trudged to the main road. Why in the world is this even an issue?! We live in Michigan people... put on your big kid pants and do what needs to be done. If you don't feel it's safe to traverse your dirt road, then don't take your kid to the main road bus stop. Simple as that. I guarantee you though that the majority of households managed to get themselves to work that day. Less whining, and more pro-activity people!!

Now if we could just get the District to stop pandering to the Nanny State of Parenthood these days, we'll be all set.

These people making the call - they are doing their best. Whatever decision they make - they are going to have people thinking they didn't do it right. I would like to see parents supporting the school district with whatever decision they make on a particular day. Sure - it's inconvenient. Snowy days are just that. But we have to expect things like this to happen. We are only talking a few days out of the year usually. I hate to see people jump all over the administration - they are not fortune-tellers - sometimes the weather changes despite best intelligence.

Michele--apparently your not reading. Hugger is off the dirt road--there is no main road entrance. There is not a paved road within a half mile of Hugger. When the Oakland County Sheriff has to close the road off because its DANGEROUS-- who are you to say we need to stop whining? We didn't ask them to close an entire district, but I do feel there are some circumstances that require CERTAIN schools to be closed if its a safety issue--just like they closed Rochester High School today for a power outtage.

I think it would be a bit confusing to close one or two schools and not the others. Schools are not daycares for working parents. Many parents complain because they do not have the adequate resources to keep a child home. This is an inconvenient situation, but it is not the districts problem. From my understanding, the Superintendent makes the final call after consulting with other areas.

My concern is that it has to be -25 degrees in order for Rochester schools to close. If I had a child that had to walk to school or wait for a late bus, I'd be furious. Not every parent has the luxury of driving or dropping off their child.

"At or below 0 °C (32 °F), blood vessels close to the skin start to constrict, and blood is shunted away from the extremities via the action of glomus bodies. The same response may also be a result of exposure to high winds. This constriction helps to preserve core body temperature. In extreme cold, or when the body is exposed to cold for long periods, this protective strategy can reduce blood flow in some areas of the body to dangerously low levels. This lack of blood leads to the eventual freezing and death of skin tissue in the affected areas." - eMedicineHealth