More than 75 local school districts cancelled classes Thursday because of winter weather. Administrators with Fort Smith Public Schools say they were concerned about ice and road conditions.
“We're well aware that any decision we make has an impact on the entire community,” said Dr. Gordon Floyd, Deputy Superintendent with Fort Smith Public Schools. “We were concerned about both students and staff being out on the roads.”
Floyd said they have people who go out and look at roads in the district. The group talks about conditions then make a decision.
“The team that went out and looked at the roads today reported some roads in bad shape, especially in higher elevations,” said Floyd.
Administrators say they also look at the forecast before making the decision to cancel school.
“That's probably the part that will fool you most often because something's predicted and it doesn't come or something is not predicted and you know boom it hits you,” said Floyd.
Floyd says they were also concerned about ice. “The forecast though of the ice storm that was to hit this area was also a consideration,” he said.
The district looks at parking lots and sidewalks at schools. “Our primary focus is the safety of children and the teaching staff and other staff members of the schools,” said Floyd.
Fort Smith schools plan to have classes on Friday.