SUMMERSVILLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Nicholas County Schools were closed on Friday, December 6, due to continued icy conditions on side roads, Superintendent Terrence Beam announced.
“Side road issues account for the majority of days that we must cancel school,” Beam said. “Many of our students live on side roads that sometimes are not cleared as quickly as the main highways.”
As of Friday, the district has canceled four days of school this year—three due to weather and one in September because of safety threats.
According to state code, the district can miss up to 10 days before make-up days are required. Beam noted that missing school days early in the year is uncommon.
“Rarely do we miss more than 1-2 days before January, but this year it is different,” he said.
Beam addressed the challenges the district faces when deciding whether to cancel or delay school.
“If we keep school in session when the roads are a little messy, we are criticized and even cussed for ‘putting kids out on the roads.’ If we do cancel, we get calls asking if they can still have practices or ball games,” Beam said. “It is an impossible situation to deal with during the winter months. Each weather pattern is different and has to be addressed on its own circumstances.”
The superintendent highlighted efforts to minimize disruptions, such as implementing three-hour delays to give roads time to clear or temperatures to rise. However, delays can create logistical issues, particularly for working parents.
“Delays are an inconvenience for working parents who must be at work on time. They must adjust childcare arrangements,” he explained.
Additionally, breakfast is not served on delayed days due to time constraints.
Beam also explained the district’s considerations regarding extreme cold temperatures.
“Our rule of thumb for cold temperatures: if the temperatures during the school day are at 10 degrees or lower, or the wind chill is below 10, we either delay or cancel,” Beam said.
However, he noted the difficulty of making these decisions in a county where weather conditions vary significantly by location.
To address challenges with side road conditions, the district is exploring the use of snow routes.
Under this plan, buses would operate only on main roads, and parents would need to bring children to those stops.
“I know that will frustrate some people also, but that is the best way for us to stay in session,” Beam said, adding that excused absences would be granted for students unable to get to bus stops on main roads.
Beam emphasized that all decisions are made with safety in mind and based on the best available information.
“Mr. Stump and I talk almost every night and every morning before 5:00 a.m. to decide what we need to do. Sometimes we get it wrong, but not because of neglect,” he said.
Despite the closure, the district will allow voluntary practices and the annual craft fair at Nicholas County High School to proceed as planned today.
“I hope that this helps everyone better understand the process of dealing with winter weather in Nicholas County,” Beam concluded.
