School in Pea Ridge was closed Wednesday and Thursday last week and there was limited bus service Friday due to inclement weather. Below freezing temperatures and freezing rain combined to create slick conditions on area roadways.
There are 23 bus routes and the district covers 53 square miles, according to school bus transportation director Cameron McNabb, who said the school buses travel 320 miles every morning and night for a total of 640 miles a day. There are 16 bus drivers and four of the bus routes are double routes.
About a quarter of the school student population lives on unpaved roads which are neither treated nor plowed for snow and ice.
"Safety is our biggest concern," Rick Neal, school superintendent, said. "Decisions are made with the concern for all students, parents and bus drivers. Since 70 percent of our students are transported by bus, the decision making process whether we can come to school safely begins at that point."
"The safety of the bus is my big concern," McNabb said, explaining that although some people think buses travel well on snow or ice because they're heavy, they actually do not have as much traction as a front-wheel drive car. The bus can safely traverse a straight line, he said, but big issue is when it stops, not sliding.
"We also worry about people getting in and out. There is increased auto traffic when we don't run the buses," McNabb said, adding that school officials are also concerned for the safety of parents and students driving to and from school.
"A lot of the turnarounds," McNabb said, "are tree-covered and don't get sunlight. When we run limited bus service, we take that into consideration."
Roads that cause the most concern include Gann Ridge Road, Beaver Hollow and Skyline Drive.
McNabb said when there is snow or ice, he, superintendent Rick Neal and assistant superintendent Keith Martin, each get out on the roads by 4 a.m. McNabb drives out Gann Ridge Road and U.S. Highway 62 and checks areas east of town. He said Martin checks roads in town and Neal checks Ark. Hwy 94 and Ark. Hwy. 265 north of town.
"We meet back up at the administration office so they can have an announcement by 5," McNabb said.
"Mr. Martin, Mr. McNabb and I use a team approach to the decision making of canceling school. We talk through several options and issues to make hopefully the right call," Neal said.
General News on 01/27/2016