I live in Elk Garden and many times throughout the winter months we have unpredictable weather. I also have children in the Mineral County School system, and these two factors seem to be connected. Having not quite determined who does call off school on days that the roadways are too dangerous for my children to be transported to school, I am very interested in knowing the policy of one or the several who makes the determination for school delays or closure in Elk Garden.
I am sure there is a county policy, but that policy can’t always be what is best for the mountain top. In Keyser, the weather could be just overcast, while at the same time here in Elk Garden, it could be snowing or even putting down a freezing rain. I understand the superintendent of schools or the head of transportation travel up Green Mountain on days that the weather may pose a problem, with having buses on the road and the safety of the school children.
In true logic, if they do take that route to check the roads for conditions, we must remember they have to come 17 miles only to the main road. That does not account for the many miles they must travel to check back roads. And then, there is the traveling back down Green Mountain, which is actually a straight shot down, on a road that has little area to go if the vehicle should slide because of ice or a large amount of snow, except over the embankment, and that also is straight down.
Then again, I understand a call from school officials is made to the Skyline State Road Department. I personally have been in contact with Skyline, and received the answer that recently no school official has made a call to that office.
So, who makes the decision and how, and when and where?
On Friday, Jan. 22, there was a two-hour delay for the county schools. When that time limit was up, the roads continued to have ice on them, and I made the decision to keep my high school-aged daughter here at home as opposed to going to school. I know that is my right and that choice was made for her safety. On that day, there were no reported school bus accidents up here because of the weather, but when the first accident does happen because of road or weather conditions, will there be injuries or even worse?
Please let me tell about one more incident, involving the school board. During the recent PTO meeting, representatives were to be in attendance to discuss the upcoming levy that will come to vote the first part of February. Here is the number of school board members that showed up—zero. And I do not believe any of members called to notify anyone of their absence at the PTO meeting.
Are we treated like unloved stepchildren up here on the mountain? Even if we are, we are still registered voters. I am now encouraging other parents of school children or citizens here in Elk Garden to call the Board of Education about concerns pertaining to road conditions with the relationship of school delays and closing schools.
Lawrence “Buddy” Stonebraker
Mayor
Elk Garden
Elk Garden, W.Va —
