Montgomery County Public Schools will be closed again on Monday per a text message sent at 3:45 p.m. on Sunday.
By way of explanation MCPS issued a follow up press release. Here’s what it said:
“Snow and ice removal from this winter weather event has been slow, where Monday will be the first day above freezing in 9 days. MCPS crews have been working hard this past week and our facilities are ready to re-open! We know we will not have perfect conditions any time soon, but many streets and sidewalks are NOT passable for buses or safe for student walkers. Post-plowing snow piles are creating a safety hazard for our buses, creating poor visibility and blocking access to pass through and turn lanes. Many major roadways still have obstructions that have reduced lanes, making safe travel during peak traffic times difficult.
Why We Can’t Open Tomorrow:
- Many neighborhood streets are too narrow and too icy for buses to travel safely. Many neighborhood streets are barely passable for a car and school buses are much wider.
- Many sidewalks are impassable, forcing walkers to use busy roads instead of safe sidewalks. Approximately 20% of our students walk to school and do not have access to bus transportation.
- Many of our students with disabilities require door-to-door transportation (as part of their legally mandated individualized education plan), which in some areas will not be possible due to some neighborhood street conditions.
How YOU Can Help:
- Remove your vehicle from the street to allow for widened plow paths and greater access for buses (and please encourage or help your neighbors to do so as well).
- Clear the sidewalk in front of your residence (and please encourage or help your neighbors to do so as well).
- Report streets and roadways that still require snow and ice removal to Montgomery County’s 311 service.
A non-instructional day, offices will open on time. Staff is expected to report as on any other non-instructional day.
For more information visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org
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