Why the School Superintendents Screwed Up (big time)

This past Wednesday, Richmond received about 2 inches of snow during morning rush hour. Over 150 accidents were reported during this time. While all of those accidents were unfortunate, those actions were not the most distressing part of the snow event (2 inches is not a storm).

The most distressing action was performed by the school superintendents and the VCU brain trust. After seeing how much travel was snarled by the snow squall, some superintendents as well as VCU canceled school. This occurred between 8:00 and 9:00 in the morning. This is of course after

a) Students were either in class or on the buses.
b) Faculty and staff were either in school or on their way.
c) Parents of the students were going to work or on their way.

So after all of these people were going about their normal workday, all of a sudden their day was thrown on end. They had to pick up their kids from school, worry about getting home, or flat out turn around and go home. Making this decision at the time was foolish, and it could be argued bordering on reckless.

Obviously, the decision to cancel school was made to protect the students and parents in the treacherous driving conditions that were encountered that morning. BUT EVERYBODY WAS ALREADY IN DANGER!!!! I'm not making fault at the decision to cancel school, but at the time, the decision was not in the best interest of anybody and led to more confusion.

All the superintendents needed to do was to make 1 phone call that would have kept those they were charged to protect safe. Call the weatherman. Here's how the conversation would go:

Superintendent: Good morning Mr. Weatherman. You are up early at 6:00am.
Weatherman: Yes, I love weather.
S: I was wondering what the weather for the morning commute was going to be. Any suggestions?
W: Well, according to my Super-Dee-Duper Radar, it's going to horrible. Considering Richmond does not salt the roads, the commute is going to be very slippery.
S: That's not good. Do you have any idea how long the snow will last?
W: Just during the rush hour. It looks like we're in for just a quick shot of snow, but it should be nice once it clears.
S: Well, I'm going to act conservatively, and cancel school. Thanks!!!
W: No problem, I'm just your handy-dandy weatherman.
[Conversation ends at 6:01, schools are officially canceled by 6:10, nobody is endangered]

So, let's act rational. If school isn't canceled by 6:30, school is still on. Any other choice endangers the well-being of everyone involved.