Superintendents Talk The Science Of Calling Snow Days

CANTON (CBS) - When the sun is shining and the streets are clear at the end of the school day but significant snowfall is in forecast, what's not clear to a school superintendent is whether or when to cancel or delay school.

"You make a couple hundred decisions a day and most of them fly under the radar but if you make a decision, good, bad or indifferent, on the snow, people take note," explained Jeffrey Granatino, Superintendent of Canton Public Schools.

While a number of districts have had as many as three snow days with recent record snowfall, Canton Public Schools have had one snow day and one delay so far.

Parent Andrew French has had no complaints. "They can't jump the gun because every one else may be panicking so you've got to trust they know what they're doing," he said.

WBZ-TV's Ron Sanders reports.

Superintendent Granatino said he checks forecasts (WBZ-TV more than others), consults with the local highway department, police and other superintendents before he makes the call.

He expects to get up about 4:15 tomorrow morning to make his decision. "The main premise is what's most safe for our students and our staff," he said.

"I get nervous about them being on the bus. I remember that snow storm a few years ago when the buses were tied up for hours. So, yes, it's a little nerve-racking," said parent Lisa Gillis whose son Sean, a second-grader, said he hopes there's a not a snow day tomorrow because his teacher said his class can have a pajama lunch party tomorrow.

First-grader Brenna French said she hopes for a snow day so she can play in it. Superintendant Granatino said Thursday afternoon it was too soon to tell whether school will be cancelled or delayed tomorrow.

Several other superintendents around Boston said they follow the same procedure as Canton's to make their decisions.

Superintendent Joanne Benton in Wilmington, where they've already had three snow days because of higher accumulation, says "it all comes down to safety."