Why weren't schools closed in bad weather?
As a mom, I was deeply concerned that the Guilford and Randolph County schools did not close on Jan. 22. During my attempt to drive my children to school, our car skidded off the road as my oldest screamed that we were going to die. I was able to get back on the road and back home safely, but not everyone was so lucky.
In my attempt to get to a safe location to turn around, I passed at least three accidents and no fewer than four cars in ditches.
I later learned that the roads were so bad in parts of Greensboro that the school buses had detained the children at safe locations until the roads improved.
To me, this situation was not fully thought out.
The decision to keep the schools open put many lives in danger, many of which would have included newly licensed high school students driving their siblings and themselves to school.
I urge the Board of Education to take this as a learning experience and to do whatever they can to keep this from happening again.
Shannon Wilkerson
Liberty
Comments (12)
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... how's 'bout you & everyone else just learn how to drive, Shannon?
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If the schools want to close on the threat of snow, fine, but they' should also add at least 4-1/2 weeks to the school year. This 180 days of esteeme building has to stop.
Posted on January 30, 2008 5:06 AM
I concur. It seems that far too many people just don't understand the concept of less friction on an icy road. Would it kill you, Ms. Wilkerson, to drive a little slower, break sooner, and steer into the direction of a skid? Sheesh!
Posted on January 30, 2008 5:33 AM
How about using your own good judgment and just stay home when the roads are icy? Common sense tells you to do what is safe for YOU!
Posted on January 30, 2008 6:45 AM
"...our car skidded off the road as my oldest screamed that we were going to die."
What a wimpy society we've become. As Bishop noted, if the roads are icy slow down!! One other note Ms. Wilkerson, just becase the buses were operating that day doesn't mean you had to. If you are scared your kid is going to die then stay home.
Posted on January 30, 2008 6:46 AM
"I urge the Board of Education to take this as a learning experience and to do whatever they can to keep this from happening again."
The great experiment in democracy, individualism, and self-reliance called America is over. It failed.
Posted on January 30, 2008 7:13 AM
"The great experiment in democracy, individualism, and self-reliance called America is over. It failed."
It's a thread hijack, but you're right, neo. The masses have yielded to nanny state governance trading liberty for "security" in all aspects of their daily lives.
Posted on January 30, 2008 7:21 AM
Good point, neo--now you can turn in all your government checks and pay market rate on your VA loan.
Posted on January 30, 2008 9:25 AM
TLC, your comments again show your one track thinking, Grow up and address the issue, You think you are funny, but you cause me to question myself when I do agree with you.
I agree with the posted comments. Parents who put their kids in cars or on buses are the ones responsible for the danger. Just say no???? Also consider the comments which come when school is called off and there is NO ice,. The person or persons making thesedecisions have a tough job. They can't be right all the time,. Parents have to use common sense.
Posted on January 30, 2008 11:58 AM
"The decision to keep the schools open put many lives in danger."
Closing schools also potentially puts children's lives in danger as some children (and teenagers) get left home alone unsupervised.
The transportation director was in an absolutely no-win situation. He had to make an initial decision by 5:30 a.m. Spotty, light icing began after 7:30 a.m.--well into the transportation run. With perfect foresight, maybe a better decision could have been made. But with imperfect information, there's always going to be a chance of making a mistake.
As others have written, the letter-writer too was in a no-win situation, and she also made a regrettable decision, venturing onto roads that she wasn't capable of driving on.
We need to cut our officials a little more slack here (at least as much as we cut ourselves).
Posted on January 30, 2008 3:10 PM
"Closing schools also potentially puts children's lives in danger as some children (and teenagers) get left home alone unsupervised."
Parents who leave young children at home alone all day should be charged with neglect, because that is what it is. There are no excuses.
Posted on January 30, 2008 11:34 PM
NanP,
Thank you for your kind comments. May God shine her face upon you and may the wind be always at your back.
+++++++++++++++++++
For all the Grier bashers, you might want to pay attention to the new Super down in Charlotte. Yep, be careful what you wish for.
The smartest school board member, Anita Sharpe, would always say about Grier, "Better the devil you know than the one you don't know". After several years, everyone knew his tricks and could pretty much predict his moves. Now, we will see the same ones who bashed Grier start bashing the poor bloke who gets the nod next. It is standard operating procedure for the ignorant, and ill informed. Did I like what Grier did? Not everything, but he did mellow with age, and the board definitely knew how to reign him in after getting rid of "Policy Governance".
Read this about Charlotte's new Superintendent and prepare yourselves:
http://www.charlotte.com/breaking_news/story/470892.html
Anita Sharpe is wise beyond her years!
Posted on January 31, 2008 9:48 AM
Demon,
I'll agree with you that Anita Sharpe is "wise beyond her years", but what the heck does the Charlotte article you posted have to do with the topic of this thread - "Why weren't schools closed in bad weather?"
And how do "grier bashers" have anything to do with Gorman's plan not gaining approval by his board?
Posted on January 31, 2008 12:53 PM