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TOO COLD FOR SCHOOL
Is It Ever Too Cold For School?

Reported by: Send eMail Leslie Rubin
Videographer: Matt Durrett
Web Producer: Leslie Rubin
Reported: Jan. 23, 2013 9:14 PM EST
Updated: Jan. 24, 2013 9:20 AM EST

EYEWITNESS ONLINE WEBCAST VIDEO
C L I C K   T O   P L A Y
Charleston , Kanawha County , West Virginia

Despite the bitter cold temperatures over the last few days, Kanawha County schools have been operating on a normal schedule, while neighboring counties have been on 2-hour delays.

So, we wanted to know...is it ever too cold for school?

Superintendent Ron Duerring says there's no specific degree mark on the books that classifies as too cold for school.

Betsy Shaak is the parent of a third grader at Overbrook Elementary. Every day they walk to and from school.

"Whether it's hot, cold, snowy, rainy...we walk," she says.

She's not upset Kanawha County schools have decided to operate on a normal schedule the last two days, and is happy her children aren't missing out on time in the classroom.

"They would have missed a lot had they missed two hours of school this morning," she says,

Surrounding counties have opted to delay school, despite there not being much of a temperature change from one hour to the next. Something Duerring says is closely monitored and taken into consideration.

"Two hours later and it was only going to change by two degrees, that wasn't going to make much of a difference," said Duerring.

Others disagree with the decision not to delay school, and voiced their opinions on our Facebook page.

"Yes, at least a two hour delay. It's ridiculous having these little children out there as cold as it is waiting on the bus, and then they wonder why people are sick," said Steve Wolfe.

"They should absolutely delay, there are so many parents that do not have a way to get their kids to the bus stop or school so they have to walk, and these kids are freezing standing out there waiting on the bus," said Becky Vance.

Others think it's never too cold for school.

"To even have this discussion is ridiculous! In the '70s and '80s there was no such thing as too cold or too hot to go to school. We had no A/C and the heating systems were sometimes questionable, but we went to school. If the roads are safe, the kids should be in school. Period. This is getting out of hand," said Paul Kinzer.

"Everyday our students miss a day of school, in another state and another school they are getting a full 180 day,s and they are getting that much more education than our students are getting," said Duerring.



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