Late snowfall trips up schools’ morning plans

Tuesday’s early morning snow storm became an exercise in second guessing for four Snohomish County school districts.

Arlington, Granite Falls, Lake Stevens and Marysville each sent alerts saying school would be delayed, only to decide to close school about 8 a.m.

In Marysville, where the cancellation decision didn’t appear on a media closure list until 8:41 a.m., some high school students were already on buses and faculty on campuses.

Typically, many families make their work and day-care plans on the first reports scrolling across the bottom of their television screen.

“This is the first time we have had to do it since I’ve been here,” said Linda Byrnes, the Arlington School District superintendent since 1996. “It’s something that is absolutely the last resort.”

The districts had little or no new snow until 5 a.m. and the snowfall was heavier than expected.

“The timing of the snowstorm couldn’t have been worse for us,” said Arlene Hulten, a Lake Stevens School District spokeswoman. “If it could have hit at 2 (a.m.), you test the roads and it’s a no-brainer, you close the schools.”

“It messes everybody up,” said Granite Falls Superintendent Joel Thaut. “We really want to try to operate since we have missed days already. At the same time, you don’t want to endanger your staff and students.”

Marysville Superintendent Larry Nyland said it’s always hard making the decision when the snow comes late. There are safety concerns of getting kids to school and safety concerns when parents have left for work with a child at home assuming school will be in session.

“It’s a tough call,” Nyland said. “Either way we would probably get calls.”

In general, superintendents make the decision based on weather forecasts and reports from employees driving around the districts’ roads as early as 3:30 a.m.

Most families learn of closures through media reports. Schools use a service called SchoolReport.org to make those announcements about delays and closures.

The Edmonds School District was the first to make the call to cancel classes, sending its announcement to the Web service at 4:53 a.m.

Mukilteo, Lakewood and Everett followed, each shortly after 5 a.m. Arlington’s and Granite Falls’ closure decisions were posted about 8 a.m.

Lake Stevens and Marysville were the last to have closures posted on the Web site, at 8:31 and 8:41 a.m., respectively. Several other Western Washington districts also had late closure notices.

Northshore, South Whidbey and Stanwood-Camano opened late. Coupeville, Darrington, Index, Monroe, Oak Harbor, Snohomish and Sultan were open on time.

Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.