Snow, ice and frigid temperatures prompt delays and closures
LURAY, Va. — Mere days into the new year, hazardous road conditions and frigid temperatures have caused significant challenges for Page County Public Schools (PCPS), students and parents.
Staff and pupils were due to return from the yearly winter break on January 6, 2025. However, due to a wintry mix that blew in to the area on January 5, road conditions were assessed for safety on a daily basis. Students did not return to school for the rest of the week.
By January 9, PCPS Division Superintendent Dr. Antonia Fox posted the following statement on social media:
Given the loss of instructional time this week to inclement weather, the following calendar adjustments are being made to the 2024-2025 Academic Calendar:
1. The end of the second quarter is being moved from Friday, January 17, 2025, to Friday, January 24, 2025.
2. Report cards will now be issued on Friday, January 31, 2025.
A teacher workday that was scheduled for January 21 was rescheduled as a regular school day.
Classes finally resumed Monday, January 13, but with a two-hour delay. On January 14, all schools and offices opened on-time.
Monday, January 20, Martin Luther King, Jr. day, was already pre-scheduled as a school holiday. But due to icy road conditions and low temperatures on January 21, schools remained closed.
The division planned a return to normalcy for the next day, with the announcement of another two-hour delay and the following advisory:
The division is continuing to monitor HVAC systems, pipes, and parking lots across the division as we experience exceptionally low temperatures again tonight. Given that everyone has differing preferences and tolerance for temperatures, we recommend that everyone dress in layers.
On January 22, most PCPS facilities and offices reopened. Luray High School, however, did not. An early-morning social media post stated:
Due to additional issues with the boilers this morning, Luray High School will be closed today for all students and staff. Additional information will be forthcoming soon including directions for students who attend the Tech Center and afterschool activities. Again, Luray High School will be closed today, Wednesday, January 22, 2025 to students and staff. We apologize for this inconvenience and are working diligently to make needed repairs.
A later post stated:
Our maintenance staff and HVAC vendors made repairs yesterday and had the system functioning overnight. During the early morning checks today, the systems were operational but functioning at a limited capacity. It was determined that we would not be able to bring the building up to an acceptable temperature in time for students and staff today. Our maintenance team is optimistic that the issues will be resolved by the end of the day.
Tech Center Students: Students who can provide their own transportation to their Tech Center classes are encouraged to drive directly to the Tech Center. Any student who does not have transportation and cannot attend their Tech Center class today will be issued an excused absence.
We will continue to keep you updated as to the operational status of Luray High School. Thank you for your continued patience as we navigate this issue.
By the afternoon of January 22, this additional statement was posted by Fox:
All PCPS schools will open on a 2-hour delay on Thursday, January 23, 2025. Please arrive at your bus stop two hours later than usual. Breakfast and lunch will be served. Students waiting for the bus should be prepared for very cold temperatures.
Twelve-month employees will report on time and all other staff will follow a one-hour delay unless otherwise directed by their supervisor.
Why are we opting to have a two-hour delay for students tomorrow? With the extreme low temperatures expected tonight and in the morning, and snow and ice still remaining on some surfaces, a delay allows us extra time to address any HVAC or other issues (e.g. pipes) that may have developed overnight. It also allows us to have bus and car drivers start vehicles, report issues, and repair them in the daylight and prior to bus runs starting. Lastly, a delay helps ensure slightly warmer conditions for students waiting at bus stops and that all drivers are navigating roads in the daylight.
As of now, the boilers at Luray High School (LHS) are operational. We expect LHS to be fully functional tomorrow and to open on the same two-hour delay as the rest of the division. Our team will continue monitoring the boilers this evening, overnight, and into the morning. Should anything change, we will notify staff and families.
We understand that delays and closures can significantly impact families and work schedules. As we have emphasized before, we take the time to thoroughly assess all conditions and the diverse needs across the division to prioritize the safety of students and staff. We will always act out of an abundance of caution and err on the side of caution to ensure everyone’s well-being.
Thank you for continued support as we navigate the winter weather.
Earlier in the month, the January 9 school board meeting was canceled due to hazardous road conditions. The next scheduled School Board meeting will take place Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Page County High School, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting may be viewed in real-time via the PCPS YouTube page HERE.