The interim Anne Arundel County Public Schools superintendent issued a letter to parents, guardians, and employees for Friday’s decision to open schools on time despite icy conditions in the region.
Interim Superintendent Mamie Perkins said the decision came after examining weather reports, and consulting with county and state and other jurisdictions Friday morning. She wrote the call to open on time came at 4:45 a.m. – the cut-off time needed to start the bus system.
While admitting the group making the decision could have done better, she re-emphasized a school system philosophy that she said has been conveyed to parents for years.
“When it comes to the safety of travel to and from school, it is parents who should make the final decisions they feel are in the best interests of their children,” Perkins wrote. “There is no question, however, that parents place their trust in the decisions we make as a school system.”
She said discussions about delays and closing procedures are taking place with more to come. She hopes to close examine procedures used to make weather-related calls.
“There is no question that if we had it to do over again, we would arrive at a different outcome. I certainly regret the way things played out Friday morning, and I pledge to you that we will work harder than ever to try to ensure such an unfortunate situation doesn’t arise again.”
Freezing rain and icy roads plagued most of the area on Friday. Many schools systems in the region closed or opened on a delayed basis.
