Delay or close? Superintendents talk about the difficult decision

PITTSBURGH — School district superintendents have a difficult decision when it comes to cancelling or delaying school during frigid winter weather.

Channel 11's Jennifer Tomazic talked to several superintendents about how they came to their decisions on Wednesday, and what they'll look for going forward.

“When possible, I like to communicate with parents early that it will be closed or a 2-hour delay so they have the appropriate time to arrange for childcare if they have to go to work,” Northgate Superintendent Dr. Joseph Pasquerilla said.

Northgate schools, which serves Bellevue Elementary in Avalon, closed on Wednesday because too many kids walk to school.

https://twitter.com/JenniferTomazic/status/426088865607057408

Other districts, like nearby North Hills, operated on a 2-hour delay because the buses had enough time to warm up.

“I know today was really cold, but we felt comfortable as the sun came up. Although the temperatures weren’t going to be that high, they weren’t so low that we were putting people in harm’s way,” said North Hills Superintendent Dr. Patrick Mannarino.

Superintendents in the north told Tomazic that they collaborate on the decision to delay or close by text messaging each other around 4 a.m.

Will your school or business be delayed or closed on Thursday? Check our closing and delays page, which constantly updates.

WPXI