EDITOR:
The decision by Douglas County School District personnel to hold school on Monday during a severe winter storm was ridiculous. Every other school in this region was closed; even the UNR campus. The decision reflected not only poor judgment, but also a critical lack of foresight. The probability of a serious accident on a day like that is simply too high. Moreover, during such a storm, emergency response personnel would be unable to respond. Injuries related to the accident would only be part of the problem. Students would also face risks of hypothermia and exposure because help could not reach them. In addition, teachers and the necessary support personnel for the school had to risk accident or injury traveling to school to support that inane decision to hold classes. If one were to analyze this decision from a pure "risk/reward" standpoint, putting all emotion aside, it is ludicrous to think that the limited amount of knowledge that any one child could obtain on a day like that would be worth the realistic possibly of catastrophic injuries to students, faculty, and school personnel from attempting to travel to school in the blizzard. If any school district leader can present a rational reason for today's decision, I would enjoy hearing it. Otherwise, the events of that day should be considered a "wake up call" to school leaders that a more appropriate inclement weather plan should be in place that appropriately balances the need for education with the safety of students, faculty, and staff.
Dr. Kevin Halow MD
Minden
