Anonymous
01/29/2026 16:56
Subject: Why can’t some schools open?
I’ve worked in rural districts that did close only portions of their district. The issue in MCPS is that there are no clear boundaries. Between immersions, CES, magnets, SpEd and the personal transportation from anywhere for u housed students it’s a tangled mess. Lastly, teachers can’t afford live close enough to where they work for conditions around a school to be relevant to their safety commuting
Anonymous
01/29/2026 16:53
Subject: Why can’t some schools open?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My SIL in Boston asked me this when I told her our schools are closed again tomorrow. I explained there’s 200+ schools that need to be cleared, and she wanted to know why the ones that are cleared of snow can’t open. I didn’t have a response other than that’s just the way it works here since things are run at the county level and not the city/town level like it is in New England. She thinks this is ridiculous.
Unfortunately, because this is a County run school system.
In other states, like suburban PA where I grew up, the school systems are at the "cluster" level with their own locally elected school boards, local funding millage rates, local decision-making, etc. So, school openings or closings are made exactly in your community by your elected neighbors based on very local road conditions and employee access to the schools. So much better than the Maryland set up!!
I bet the cost of living allows for all the teachers to live locally too. They aren't worried about whether staff can make the 50-75 mile commute to work.
Highways have been fine for days. Long commutes aren't a problem at all. Or, at least, they're no more of a problem than any other day.
I was talking more in general on average snow day events
I'd say the excessive amounts of accidents that seem to always happen around the truck weigh station on 270 seems to act as a counterpoint
That ends up being true everywhere. Highways are almost always cleared early. Long commutes aren't a problem for school opening after winter storms. That's just an excuse people use here because they don't want to go to work.
Anonymous
01/29/2026 16:50
Subject: Why can’t some schools open?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My SIL in Boston asked me this when I told her our schools are closed again tomorrow. I explained there’s 200+ schools that need to be cleared, and she wanted to know why the ones that are cleared of snow can’t open. I didn’t have a response other than that’s just the way it works here since things are run at the county level and not the city/town level like it is in New England. She thinks this is ridiculous.
Unfortunately, because this is a County run school system.
In other states, like suburban PA where I grew up, the school systems are at the "cluster" level with their own locally elected school boards, local funding millage rates, local decision-making, etc. So, school openings or closings are made exactly in your community by your elected neighbors based on very local road conditions and employee access to the schools. So much better than the Maryland set up!!
I bet the cost of living allows for all the teachers to live locally too. They aren't worried about whether staff can make the 50-75 mile commute to work.
Highways have been fine for days. Long commutes aren't a problem at all. Or, at least, they're no more of a problem than any other day.
I was talking more in general on average snow day events
That ends up being true everywhere. Highways are almost always cleared early. Long commutes aren't a problem for school opening after winter storms. That's just an excuse people use here because they don't want to go to work.
Anonymous
01/29/2026 16:50
Subject: Why can’t some schools open?
Why is this so hard for people to understand? I see people complaining in all my groups (MCPS parents and college parents). This is not a typical snow. We didn’t get the fluffy stuff. It’s like concrete and almost impossible to clear without heavy equipment. There isn’t enough heavy equipment. Plows are breaking right and left. Even though my neighborhood is well cleared, I drive past roads and parking lots that are untouched. While it seems logical to say this or that school can open, there is little guarantee that staff or students can make it in safely.
Anonymous
01/29/2026 16:48
Subject: Why can’t some schools open?
Hi from PA where our school districts cover a very small geographic area and it seems to work out better in situations like this. Moved from BCPS 6 years ago and saw the same issues there (I think they are closed today/fri).
Everyone is actually right in this scenario. There are parts of the county where it's incredibly unsafe, but also many kids could be in school.
Our kids went back to school on Wed. FYI
Everyone is actually right in this scenario. There are parts of the county where it's incredibly unsafe, but also many kids could be in school.
Our kids went back to school on Wed. FYI
Anonymous
01/29/2026 16:45
Subject: Why can’t some schools open?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My SIL in Boston asked me this when I told her our schools are closed again tomorrow. I explained there’s 200+ schools that need to be cleared, and she wanted to know why the ones that are cleared of snow can’t open. I didn’t have a response other than that’s just the way it works here since things are run at the county level and not the city/town level like it is in New England. She thinks this is ridiculous.
Unfortunately, because this is a County run school system.
In other states, like suburban PA where I grew up, the school systems are at the "cluster" level with their own locally elected school boards, local funding millage rates, local decision-making, etc. So, school openings or closings are made exactly in your community by your elected neighbors based on very local road conditions and employee access to the schools. So much better than the Maryland set up!!
I bet the cost of living allows for all the teachers to live locally too. They aren't worried about whether staff can make the 50-75 mile commute to work.
Highways have been fine for days. Long commutes aren't a problem at all. Or, at least, they're no more of a problem than any other day.
I was talking more in general on average snow day events
Anonymous
01/29/2026 16:42
Subject: Why can’t some schools open?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Because the teachers union would throw a fit if 80% of us got to stay home while 20% were forced to go in. Call us selfish but we have a union for a reason
Currently, only 20% of staff could make it to my school. Not even teachers, staff PERIOD.
People are stuck in the neighborhoods. Including ones that are in other counties.
Over 95% are no longer stuck, and I live in a far flung area of the county.
The pp is counting the people who have refused to shovel their cars/driveways.
Anonymous
01/29/2026 16:40
Subject: Why can’t some schools open?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Because the teachers union would throw a fit if 80% of us got to stay home while 20% were forced to go in. Call us selfish but we have a union for a reason
Currently, only 20% of staff could make it to my school. Not even teachers, staff PERIOD.
People are stuck in the neighborhoods. Including ones that are in other counties.
Over 95% are no longer stuck, and I live in a far flung area of the county.
Anonymous
01/29/2026 16:38
Subject: Why can’t some schools open?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Because the teachers union would throw a fit if 80% of us got to stay home while 20% were forced to go in. Call us selfish but we have a union for a reason
Currently, only 20% of staff could make it to my school. Not even teachers, staff PERIOD.
People are stuck in the neighborhoods. Including ones that are in other counties.
=1
Anonymous
01/29/2026 16:37
Subject: Why can’t some schools open?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My SIL in Boston asked me this when I told her our schools are closed again tomorrow. I explained there’s 200+ schools that need to be cleared, and she wanted to know why the ones that are cleared of snow can’t open. I didn’t have a response other than that’s just the way it works here since things are run at the county level and not the city/town level like it is in New England. She thinks this is ridiculous.
Unfortunately, because this is a County run school system.
In other states, like suburban PA where I grew up, the school systems are at the "cluster" level with their own locally elected school boards, local funding millage rates, local decision-making, etc. So, school openings or closings are made exactly in your community by your elected neighbors based on very local road conditions and employee access to the schools. So much better than the Maryland set up!!
I bet the cost of living allows for all the teachers to live locally too. They aren't worried about whether staff can make the 50-75 mile commute to work.
Highways have been fine for days. Long commutes aren't a problem at all. Or, at least, they're no more of a problem than any other day.
Anonymous
01/29/2026 16:36
Subject: Why can’t some schools open?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Have you been outside, OP? I have and I don't understand how anyone thinks MCPS should have school tomorrow. I don't buy that 80% of staff can't make it in (come on). Anyone with a car can make it. If you chose not to clear the ice off your car on Sunday night that's on you. The main roads are fine, but there are still some issues for buses and the sidewalks are a complete mess. In our neighborhood a lot of grandparents take kids to school and/or pick them up. It is truly not safe for the elderly, younger kids or people with mobility issues.
+1 There is absolutely no way the high school kids in our area could walk the 2 miles to the high school without risking their lives walking in the street. especially since the main roads don't have all of the lanes clear and very few turn lanes are ice free. Plus there are numerous cars still in the streets covered in ice. I could drive my kids to school, but school buses would have a tough time in current conditions. The schools can only control so much.
Go for a walk. I'd be shocked if your sidewalk wasn't full of kids' and dogwalkers' footsteps. Post a picture.
Anonymous
01/29/2026 16:33
Subject: Why can’t some schools open?
Anonymous wrote:Have you been outside, OP? I have and I don't understand how anyone thinks MCPS should have school tomorrow. I don't buy that 80% of staff can't make it in (come on). Anyone with a car can make it. If you chose not to clear the ice off your car on Sunday night that's on you. The main roads are fine, but there are still some issues for buses and the sidewalks are a complete mess. In our neighborhood a lot of grandparents take kids to school and/or pick them up. It is truly not safe for the elderly, younger kids or people with mobility issues.
+1 There is absolutely no way the high school kids in our area could walk the 2 miles to the high school without risking their lives walking in the street. especially since the main roads don't have all of the lanes clear and very few turn lanes are ice free. Plus there are numerous cars still in the streets covered in ice. I could drive my kids to school, but school buses would have a tough time in current conditions. The schools can only control so much.
Anonymous
01/29/2026 16:32
Subject: Why can’t some schools open?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My SIL in Boston asked me this when I told her our schools are closed again tomorrow. I explained there’s 200+ schools that need to be cleared, and she wanted to know why the ones that are cleared of snow can’t open. I didn’t have a response other than that’s just the way it works here since things are run at the county level and not the city/town level like it is in New England. She thinks this is ridiculous.
Unfortunately, because this is a County run school system.
In other states, like suburban PA where I grew up, the school systems are at the "cluster" level with their own locally elected school boards, local funding millage rates, local decision-making, etc. So, school openings or closings are made exactly in your community by your elected neighbors based on very local road conditions and employee access to the schools. So much better than the Maryland set up!!
I bet the cost of living allows for all the teachers to live locally too. They aren't worried about whether staff can make the 50-75 mile commute to work.
Anonymous
01/29/2026 16:30
Subject: Why can’t some schools open?
Anonymous wrote:My SIL in Boston asked me this when I told her our schools are closed again tomorrow. I explained there’s 200+ schools that need to be cleared, and she wanted to know why the ones that are cleared of snow can’t open. I didn’t have a response other than that’s just the way it works here since things are run at the county level and not the city/town level like it is in New England. She thinks this is ridiculous.
Unfortunately, because this is a County run school system.
In other states, like suburban PA where I grew up, the school systems are at the "cluster" level with their own locally elected school boards, local funding millage rates, local decision-making, etc. So, school openings or closings are made exactly in your community by your elected neighbors based on very local road conditions and employee access to the schools. So much better than the Maryland set up!!
Anonymous
01/29/2026 16:25
Subject: Why can’t some schools open?
Curriculum is planned centrally, teachers are paid centrally, school lunches are provided centrally, many students go to a school outside their boundary, buses are run centrally… There are so many reasons why it can’t work for some schools to be on a different schedule than others.
You can’t just say: “ok, everybody who teaches at Wilson Elementary goes to work and get paid and everybody else doesn’t,” because then there would be no buses or lunches or IT support at Wilson Elementary — because those rely on central district staff — and when it comes time to make up these snow days later in the year, then only the kids and staff at Wilson Elementary would NOT have school when everyone else does.
You can’t just say: “ok, everybody who teaches at Wilson Elementary goes to work and get paid and everybody else doesn’t,” because then there would be no buses or lunches or IT support at Wilson Elementary — because those rely on central district staff — and when it comes time to make up these snow days later in the year, then only the kids and staff at Wilson Elementary would NOT have school when everyone else does.