PWCS Apologizes for Weather-Related Complications; Cancels Evening Activities

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schoolbusPrince William County School apologized to community members for weather-related complications on the way to school this morning. In a letter to media representatives and others, Information Specialist Karla Tilgner explained that PWCS made the decision to keep schools open based on early-morning information the school division had received. By the time they received updated information, Tilgner said it was too late to reverse the decision.
We apologize for the weather-related complications this morning. Multiple PWCS staff were on duty monitoring the weather and roads throughout the night and into the early-morning hours. Based upon this information, we decided to keep schools open. At that point in time, multiple weather forecasts only called for a small accumulation of snow—up to one inch. The national weather forecast changed at 7:01 a.m. to 2–4 inches of snow, and again at 9:03 a.m.bringing the forecast up to 4–6 inches. Unfortunately, this was logistically too late to reverse course on the decision.
Additionally, PWCS has announced that they will remain open for the rest of the school day, but are calling off all school evening activities at school buildings.
In order to provide SACC services and to give the needed time to VDOT and our own PWCS crews to plow roads and parking lots, there won't be an early release. The School Division will close on-time; however, all after school and evening activities are canceled including Night School, GED, and Adult Education classes. SACC will close at 5 p.m.
Around 10 a.m. this morning, Del. Bob Marshall (R) of the 13th Virginia District posted a Facebook message encouraging parents concerned about schools remaining opened in Prince William to contact their School Board representatives. He also included a message about the seriousness of keeping schools opened.

I understand that numerous teachers were not able to get to their schools which leaves students at school without supervision and little if any work getting done.

I hope that in the future more attention will be paid to the fact that snow and slippery conditions are expected at times when students and teachers will be on the road. It is not acceptable to risk the lives of teachers and students just to get a day of school in and someone needs to be held accountable for this poor decision.

For their part, school board members Alyson Satterwhite (Gainesville) and Milt Johns, Chairman At-large cautioned parents from sending their children to school.

Again, Tilgner offers an apology in closing, saying, "Thank you for your patience. We sincerely apologize for the difficulties caused by the weather this morning." Bristow Beat has still not received information on the number of school buses involved in road accidents this morning, but based upon citizen reports, we believe it is much higher than what we had previously reported, which was three incidents confirmed by Prince William Police.
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