Jan. 09--A suburban school district superintendent defended his decision to keep schools open Thursday when most others closed for the second straight day due to subzero temperatures.
"(Other schools) may have changed their threshold for canceling classes or relied on a different forecast. That is up to their discretion. I did not think today's forecasted temperatures necessitated modifying our past practice, which has served us well over the years," said Superintendent David Schuler of Township High School District 214.
The Arlington Heights-based school system, the second largest high school district in the state with 12,000 students, announced there would be class Thursday after canceling school on Wednesday.
Schuler's message was primarily aimed at parents.
"Changing our protocol to allow for closing at even less-intense wind chills could have a significant impact on the number of days we need to close, with the potential impact of going to school on Saturdays or into late June," he said.
Last winter's oppressive "Polar Vortex" phenomenon seemed to set a precedent for "cold days" off. District 214 closed for four days, all of which were built into their academic calendar, but Schuler said there were a few other days, where some schools closed and District 214 stayed open by sticking to their guns.
Schuler said when he took over the district 10 years ago, canceling class would only be considered if the sustained wind chill or "feels like" temperature was 30 degrees below zero or more. Three years into his tenure, the district changed its policy to loosen that bar if there were other weather circumstances, such as snow, icy roads or if a downward spiral in temperature is expected.
And although there have been students and parents concerned about the school day, Schuler said critics have been responsive to their explanation.
"Most people have said that they appreciate that there is a plan and a process and it wasn't just one person making a decision. It was a very systematic way of looking at how we make our decisions," he said.
Still, District 214's decision to stay open during this first significant forecast clashed with that of the half dozen feeder school districts, which closed Thursday. Schuler said he decided to issue the statement to explain that it had monitored the forecasts that indicated the day would get warmer.
Officials said they didn't have official attendance data for Thursday yet but that the schools reported lighter -- but not dramatically lower -- student attendance that is typical for a bad weather day of any sort.
Teacher attendance wasn't a problem.
The teachers union said it wasn't briefed in the matter, nor did it lobby one way or another, according to Jim Arey, president of the District 214 Education Association, which represents 850 teachers and counselors.
"They've got protocols and procedures. They follow that. We're not privy to that. That's an administrative call. We don't have any say to change that. We're not brought into the loop," he said.
Still, the Elk Grove High School social studies teacher said the day proved to be a challenge.
It has been bitterly cold. The National Weather Service reported that Buffalo Grove, which is within district boundaries, had among the worst wind chills at 30 degrees below zero.
Elk Grove High also had a power outage for about an hour, crossing two class periods.
Rolling Meadows High's fire alarm went off due to a science project, forcing all kids outside for a few minutes before the situation was cleared.
There was also blowing snow expected to pound the area and the fact that finals are next week. The stress level was heightened.
"We're being challenged on multiple levels right here," Arey said.
He added of the teachers: "They're trying to remain positive in a very challenging situation considering the cold, the power outage and now the snow. But we're here and (the teachers) brought treats."
Arey himself said about 75 percent of his kids turned out in 4th period, but by 5th period, attendance had dropped to less than half after the ComEd power outage.
"A lot of these kids have to take care of their own siblings and so, you get down near finals time and they're staying home."
