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Update 8 p.m.
New Canaan Public Schools will be closed Monday, district officials say, as many bus drivers and others won't be able to get out of their own hometowns.
In an email to town officials, Superintendent Dr. Mary Kolek said that the staff shortage "is severely impacting our transportation system to the extent that I have been notified that we will not be able to operate [Monday]."
Safe transportation is a requirement for districts and as a result schools will be closed tomorrow, she said.
School offices and the central office will be open on a 90-minute delay for those able to get to work, Kolek said.
Mallozzi said Town Hall offices will open at 10 a.m., as many workers will have difficulty getting to New Canaan.
Kolek cited towns such as Fairfield, Trumbull and Stratford that suffered more problems than downcounty areas such as New Canaan from the winter storm. Here's some Patch coverage from those towns:
- Fairfield: Emergency Management: May Take 2-3 Days to Get 'Back to Normal' [UPDATED]
- Trumbull: UPDATED: Herbst: 95% of Trumbull Roads Opened; Schools Closed Monday
- Stratford: 'A Couple Days' More to Plow Every Street in Stratford
Related content:
- Superintendent: Canceling School ‘The Last Thing I Wanted To Do’
- Board of Ed Considers How to Make up for Snow Days
- Board of Ed Mulls Shorter Winter Break for Next Two School Years
Original Story
Saying that many of the district's teachers and bus drivers live in towns affected more severely than New Canaan by the winter storm, the superintendent of schools said in a message posted to the public schools website that as of 4:30 p.m. Sunday, no decision has been made about school on Monday.
In a number of towns, "people have not been able to get out of their drives or get access to cleared roads," said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary Kolek.
"Reports in some cases indicate access may take at least another day," she said.
Right now, officials are monitoring the weather and accessability of roads in those other towns. Low temperatures overnight could freeze some of what melted today, created hazardous driving conditions that hold up motorists in affected areas.
"Again this is a situation that I am closely monitoring," Kolek said.
Here's the rest of her message:
"Given the complexity of the circumstances, I ask families and staff be prepared for several scenarios or changing conditions, including a regular opening, a 2 hour delay or, in the worst case scenario, a closing. We will all do our best to resume our instructional program as soon as is possible, knowing safety must the priority. I anticipate making the final decision tomorrow morning by 5:30 a.m., but will alert you earlier if more definitive information becomes available. Thank you for your understanding and support."
parents not being able to make it to work themselves we are ready to get rid of a superintendent? Over one snow day? I seem to recall people being outraged 2 years ago when Dr. Abbey had school starting shortly after Hurricane Irene came through....tough crowd.
Like I said above, 20+ years here and no other superintendent has made so many calls based on their own commute. The bus drivers may not be able to afford to live here but Mary sure can. Perhaps she should consider moving closer.
I'd have to guess that most of the drivers are from Bridgeport. Go take a ride down through that city right now. Or i should say, try to take a ride through that city. You won't get far.