Carson kids can pretty much forget a snow day

Though forecasters predict more snow will reach the valley floors in the coming days, students in Carson City best not hold their breath for classes to be interrupted by the weather.

"I have only called one snow day in seven years," said Superintendent Mary Pierczynski.

Pierczynski said if there is snow in the forecast, the district prepares well in advance. Maintenance crews are in the shops beginning between 3:30 and 4 a.m. to chain up the buses if need be, and district safety and transportation officials take to the roads to determine for themselves if the ride would be too slick and dangerous.

"We talked at 5 a.m. (Monday) we knew we could go. Our custodians at our buildings are critical. We have told them that it's up to them to make sure that we can start school and they make sure," she said.

The district's policy also includes that late starts and early releases are not options they'll entertain.

"We don't do late starts because if someone doesn't get the message you have children standing at the bus stops for hours. If we have an early release, parents are working and kids get locked out of homes," she said. "It's very important for us to stay on schedule. It's a mess for families when you cancel school."

Pierczynski said Carson City is fortunate in that there aren't long bus rides for most students, nor treacherous mountain terrain for the buses to cover, like in neighboring counties.

"The kids just think we're awful," she said with a chuckle, "but unless it's a safety issue, there are going to be classes."

For information and news concerning the Carson City School District visit the Web site www.carsoncityschools.com and click on the "alerts" link on the right.

• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.