In Tuesday’s Storm—

Superintendent Apologizes For Not Canceling School

By Eliza Hallabeck

In an email to parents, Superintendent of Schools Janet Robinson apologized for not canceling schools on Tuesday, February 16, when a winter storm paused over the area, dropping unanticipated accumulations of snow.

“As everyone is now aware, our having school today turned out to be a poor call,” Dr Robinson wrote in the email that went out to parents around 3 pm on Tuesday. “My apologies to all of you worried parents.”

No accidents occurred during the day, according to Director of Transportation Tony DiLonardo. He said several buses did report losing traction on Tuesday, “along with all the other vehicles in town.”

Dr Robinson said constant communication with the school bus drivers was maintained throughout the day, and Mr DiLonardo said when a bus reported losing traction, the town was notified to clear the road.

Parents called and emailed Dr Robinson throughout the day, with most telling her what a bad decision it had been to send students to school, she said.

“When the superintendents in the area had our 4 am conference call with our contracted weatherman, we were assured that the snow would be out of here after commute time with only little bursts later that would not accumulate, plus I had been assured by our road crews that they were on top of things, so we delayed rather than cancel,” Dr Robinson’s email read. “Once the students were in and the snow was continuing, we were assured that it would be better later so it was best to keep them in school.”

She said she decided to write and send out the email after responding to a number of emails specifically, and realized, she said, she could not afford the time to continue responding to each email personally.

“Now, of course, we can see that those decisions were flawed,” the letter continued, “We sincerely try to do our due diligence to make good decisions for your children’s safety, and I have to take ownership of this mistake.”

Dr Robinson said on Wednesday that email is the best way to reach her, and three members of the central office staff remained at work on Tuesday until the last student was dropped off at home.

“It was one of those storms that everyone called one way,” said Mr DiLonardo, “and it turned out to be bigger than everyone expected.”

No buses were stuck on the road with children in them, but bus runs for the day were delayed by about an hour, due to drivers using caution on the roads, according to Mr DiLonardo. Police did report one bus stuck in Sandy Hook around 1:45, but no children were on the bus at the time and it was not a weather-related incident.

Both Dr Robinson and Mr DiLonardo said Tuesday’s effort was a good collaboration between the town facilities and school bus drivers in the district.

Mr DiLonardo said the last bus run finished around 5:15 pm, instead of an hour earlier.

“I can understand how they feel,” said Dr Robinson of parents who contacted her with concern on Tuesday. “If my child had been in that situation I would have wanted updates.”

Dr Robinson said the decision to cancel school, have a delayed opening, or an early dismissal is made by her and a number of other area superintendents during a morning conference call every time inclement weather is projected.

Director of Facilities Gino Faiella will contact the town facilities at 4 am, according to Dr Robinson. Then 15 minutes later, Dr Robinson will receive a phone call from Mr Faiella, updating her on how the town is preparing for the expected weather.

Shortly after, Dr Robinson will be on the conference call with up to 12 area superintendents, and the towns’ contracted Meteorologist John Bagioni. Mr Bagioni will share his predictions and recommendations for the weather with the superintendents.

By 4:30 in the morning, the decision has to be sent through the Connect Ed program to inform teachers, parents, and news organizations of the superintendents’ joint decision.

Dr Robinson said the decision has to be made by the superintendents cooperatively, because Henry Abbott Technical School in Danbury and magnet schools all work with the Newtown Public Schools district.

“We sincerely try to make decisions in the best interest of the kids,” said Dr Robinson, “and we thought the snow would not continue throughout the day.”