Portland, Tennessee Blog

Is anyone else frustrated with the lack of school closures, even though our kids are fighting the flu and a myriad of other illnesses that are floating around? I have had two out of the middle school lately. I was told by the staff, there has been on average, 120 students out daily. There has also been a shortage of substitute teachers, due to teachers out for illness. I'm thinking it's time to get one of the news stations involved. One with the flu last week, one with pneumonia this week. What's it going to be next week. I was at the middle school and had to listen to the staff inform a young lady that was obviously sick, her parents tell her she had to stay at school. The doctor's office is over filled and there is no relief in sight.

Hey dcs,

NOT ONE WORD i wrote on here was a lie and you know it. So let's watch with the name calling okay? People say I am immature, that is fine. Like I said before I DON'T CARE.

Enough on this foolish subject. I will not reply again.

Last thing I have to say about this. Granny, you're a liar, and very immature. I do believe you need the help. Enough on this.

So basically you support censorship

People, get over it more to life than bunch of belly aching and name calling, look at yourself and you want to be a friendly, smiling not with such a stupid blog like this. Who ever runs this blog should have enough back bone to end it so some don't look more stupid and your town don't look like whining hicks.

Move on.

Nobody said anything about "jocks" not being able to get an education, the point is that education is the only thing 99 percent of "jocks" will ever be able to use their time in school for. By the way, it was brought up because people were saying if it's too snowy for school, it's too snowy for sports, so it was very much on topic. Lest we forget football is a "game" while books and education are the foundations of life and reality.

I don't know how football got involved with snow days for school, but let's remember some of those "jocks" you're talking about have turned out to be leading citizens and officials. Maybe they didn't make it to the professional sports leagues, but they received a good enough education to become doctors, lawyers, and teachers. Our current mayor, vice mayor and fire/police chief are former "jocks". Surely somewhere in their lives they found the time to stick their nose in a book. Maybe it was during a "snow day".

Amen Amanda!

I agree that this has gotten way out of hand. The comments about the North and South are ridiculous and show nothing but ignorance. Are we not all Americans? Let's just agree to disagree, but do it in a nice way.

My child is in school, and I had to find a babysitter those 2 days. It's not easy,but I would rather deal with that headache than to deal with a sick child. I drive my child to school everyday. I don't like to drive in the snow, but I do (and no - I'm not from the "north" so I'm not an experienced snow driver). I have managed just fine. I grew up in the country on top of a very steep hill, but my father always managed to get to work, even in snow and ice (and he worked over an hour away from our home). It's all in taking it slow and using extreme caution. Bottom line is that the days are built in to the school year, so they may as well use them.

As far as football...who cares...stay on subject.

I must say that I am shocked at how ugly people have been to each other on this page. Over what...snow? My goodness, it is really not that big of a deal. Honestly, how often do the kids really get out for snow...a few times a year? I can not imagine saying something ugly to someone over snow. There is always a kind and tasteful way to disagree with someone else's opinion. Being polite is the key.

As far as sickness goes, if 15% are out for sickness then that is quite a bit of students who are sick. I believe the thought is that they are just spreading the germs and the problem is continuing to get worse. By making children stay home they are hoping to give the illness a chance to clear out. Believe it or not there are parents who will send their children to school knowing they are sick. I have had parents to tank their child up on Tylenol and send them on their way. Because children come to school sick either knowing or not knowing it...they spread the yuck. In Metro 15% is over 14,000 students absent in one day. That is a lot of sick kids folks. I would say that if there are that many children with something it is better for everyone to stay home. As far as sports continuing...that is extra and people can choose for themselves whether or not they want to attend. Students are not penalized if they do not attend a game, but students who miss school are. If you know that there is something spreading rampantly and continue to expect children to come to school anyway, then you are deliberately putting their health at risk. Personally I appreciate anyone who considers the best interest of myself and my students. I know parents become stressed over childcare, but if they didn't stay home to prevent sickness the could quite possibly be home because their child became sick themselves...and if you get the flu that usually lasts longer than the 2 days that they would stay home to "clear the air". It is a tough call, but I think the school system probably knows best on that matter.

Man, snow is apparently a serious topic. I would just say even if there is only half an inch of snow on the ground, is it worth it to send a kid to school when their bus could possibly wreck? I know in the north schools don't close like they do here but everyone including the bus drivers are more experienced with driving in snow. My brother lives in Austin, Texas and he said when they have an inch of snow there are hundreds of wrecks in the city, so Portland shouldn't be compared with a school system from the north.
I do agree, if it is too dangerous to send kids to school then they shouldn't use the buses for sports events and the like. I'm one of the biggest sports fans around but I believe connecting athletics with school is a mistake because it leads to double standards in the classroom and beyond.
Football is great and great for Portland but I don't know of any kids from Portland who have made it pro in any sport though Corey Brewer likely will in basketball. The point is an education can get you a lot farther in life than being able to tackle someone or having a decent jumpshot. Being a nerd isn't as glamorous as being a jock and it's sad that our country doesn't give enough credit to the book worms of America.

I dont think this blog is sticking to the main topic. It was about weather, no school and what is a parent to do. Somehow it has turned into a vent about this community and football. Cant we all just get along and stick to the topic at hand? I know thats asking a lot but with such a great mixing pot community, dare i say it? I think we can. Now that i said that. Parents, let your kids have some fun. They are only kids once you know. We have a great school system here and i do believe that when the kids go back to school the teachers will get them right back on track.

Here in Texas

Football is King...

It also brings in the Almighty Dollar to schools.

If they are closing the schools because they will lose $$. Where do the monies go from the sports games?

Something to think about.

To Granny and other rabid football fans,

This is incredible. I don't believe that the point of this blog topic is whether or not football is popular in Portland. You only have to live here 15 minutes to realize that it is a very big part of the community life.

It seems that the priorities are a little mixed up. Yes, sports are fun, they bring a lot of pride to a community when they do well, and it's something to do on a Friday (or Tues., or whatever) evening. I just don't think that sports are more important than education.

Remember when you stayed home from school because of a tummy ache or a scratchy throat, then wanted to go outside to play when everyone else got home from school? I know my mother's consistent answer was; if you don't go to school, you don't go out to play. I think this really does apply to snow days. If the roads are too treacherous to get to school and get an education, then they are too dangerous to take the same busses to another town for a sporting event.

In the meantime, Granny, take it down a notch. This is supposed to be a friendly discussion, not a venomous tirade.

Have you noticed the posts that get the most action are the ones which turn into anger/spite- filled comments? Yet we always comment how the youth are nowadays, they tend to live/develop by example! Yes, we do have the freedom of speech right to say what we want. However, use tact and grace when doing so people!!!

Granny - Ya know.... you do have the right to think and say what ever you like, however, I think your last sentence below coming from a 57 year old grandmother was EXTREMELY CHILDISH!

Hey dsc,

I'm a 57 year old grandmother and I have earned the right to say whatever I like also. Jazzy3 is not the one that first brought up the Civil war thing, good ole' JW did. But I guess that is okay since he is from the North. I didn't read a word that even suggested that Jazzy did not like Northerns or could care less where you came from.
As for driving in the snow that is her choice, NOT yours. You said you were not putting anyone down but somehow you managed to do exactly that in each one of your post.

From what I have read on here you Northerns sure do assume alot.

I could care less where you are from. Be it the North, South, East, West, or that place we all know over in Egypt.

And one more thing my husband of 30 years is from Ohio and we have lived in Portland for 23 years and NO ONE has ever treated him any different. He loves it here! He read this blog and got a good laugh. He couldn't believe how simple minded some of you are.

People around here don't care!! Get a grip and get over yourself!!!

Ace V,

Yes Portland is a football town and they are proud of it. Who are you to criticize a tradition that has been around for years? People could care less if you like it or not. What happened? Did you get kicked off your football team in high school and now hold a grudge against all team sports?? Geezzzz

You can all bitch and moan about the school system. But guess what, you are wasting your time and effort. Why don't you put that effort into something you can change and make better instead of venting on this little blog.

Enough said and if you don't like it...Bite Me!!!

Da,

I've lived here for a long time, I have children that have grown up here, and even with most of my family living here, once someone finds out I grew up in the North, well, you're right Da, they make you feel like an outsider, like they are better, and of course the name calling of "yankee" always comes into play as well.

Jazzy3

We "northerners" don't have a problem with were we come from, it's some of the southerners that have the problem. Now, I'm not putting a blanket over everyone, I'm saying some, so Jazzy, it looks like you are one of them that have a problem with were I grew up.I had a lot of friends that grew up in the south that had moved up north, and no one ever cared where they were from, or that they were from the south. As a matter of fact, two of my friends still live in the north, and when I told them what just happened down here because of a prediction, they laughed. It seems like you are the one with the problem, and if you don't like northerns, so be it. Oh, don't tell me to move back either, I'll live anywhere I want, and I'll say what I want, I spent 10 years serving our country, so I have that right. Get over the civil war thing, learn to drive, and learn to adjust to snow.

TerryG,

You bring up a good point on that time we got snow when they wasn't calling for it. True, that did happen, which brings me to, when school is closed due to snow and it really does snow, make the bus drivers practice in it, so they are prepared to drive in bad weather, just in case they get caught in it.

Now my last point on being prepared. Friday morning I left for work at 5:15am and drove up and down hills slow, knowing darn well the salt trucks would not even come close to my house or road, but I just knew for sure that the city streets would be taken care of, so need I say how surprised I was when I got close to town and not one salt truck had even touched hwy 52, let alone hwy 109. To top it all off, when I got to the ridge, they had it closed down so they could salt it, which is great, but why wasn't any of this being done through out the night? Why wait to early in the morning when everyone is trying to get to work? Why?

PS
The comment about Northerns not caring about their kids. That is so dumb, I just don't know how to respond to a retard like that. Maybe you can get you a special sticker so you can park up front at Food Lion.

Ace V,

I did read ALL your post and agreed with most of it. I have re-read your post several times and you implied you was talking about football. No mention of basketball.

I could care less about who plays football, basketball, etc. I do not follow the Panthers or any other high school team. This might change if my grandkids start playing these sports. You are right about 1 thing this is a football town and they do go overboard at times just like most towns in this state. I went to school in Gallatin back in the 60's and it was the same way back then. I'm afraid this is something that will never change.

You are right if school is cancelled for any reason sporting events should be also.
Who makes the decisions on the sporting events?
Board of Ed? Coaches? Principal? Who?????

dontmakemelaugh
You missed the point and made my point at the same time! Congratulations! You zeroed in on "football" and ignored the rest of my post.
Sports, especially football, is the ONLY thing that seems to matter in this town. Members of the 2000 football team are still treated like royalty whether the still live here, visiting relatives, or friends. So of course, sporting events still go on as planned. It is time to move on.

There is only one thing worse than the flu season ... the tax season. You can recover from the flu.

BTW Thank you Judy for reading ALL of my post :)

dontmakemelaugh

"Basketball-Goodpasture(JV)-Away-6:00"
Copied and pasted from the PHS web site
and yes they are broadcasting the game on the radio... I guess some things are worth the risks and others aren't. Sorry but this just isn't right!

I thought high school football was over for the season. What football game are you talking about
Ace V?

Ace V - YOU have GOT to be KIDDING!! There is definately something wrong with this picture...

So, the safety of the children is paramount, right? Then why, on a day when school is canceled due to weather of “illness” are sporting events still held. The school puts the kids on the buses with the same drivers that “aren't use to driving in snowy weather” so they can get to the game.
The road conditions at night are far worse than they are during the day due to a condition called “Black Ice.” It also gets colder and more dangerous to be on the road at night. Northerners care enough about their children (John L.) that if the weather warrants the closure of the school, then the sporting event, even if it is the almighty football game, (gasp!) they will cancel the game. Yet as I type this, WQKR is broadcasting the game. If the South cared about the kids, (again John L.) they would cancel sports events on those days when they closed school.
If one of the athletes was in the early stages of catching the FLU or other illness, then the sweating from running, and the inevitable contact with other players by physical contact in the processes of fluid transfer (ie. sweat) would cause the FLU to spread even quicker. Safety and health huh?

Stop repeat offenders. Don't re-elect them!

Well I guess there is more to this subject than first thought with many different opinions.

I guess what it all boils down to is without a dept of transportation that is properly prepared and funded like they are in the north to deal with bad weather, and this area doesn't see enough snow every year to invest into equipment and material to justify the cost to do this, so, even on a prediction of bad weather the decision to shut things down may be the right call.

On the flip side of that, hopefully the area won't run over the alloted snow days because they were used when they may not of been needed and the kids end up with an extended school year.

One other note on the "closed due to illness" I would like to think that it doesn't boil down to the all mighty $$ dollar as to whether or not our children's education should continue on schedule or be disrupted because 15% of the kids are out sick which in turn causes the school system to lose money because they get funded by attendence. I'm not saying this isn't true, I'm just shocked to hear this, but then again I don't have school age children so I'm not up on all the do's and don'ts of schools today, wow.... too bad it wasn't like this when I was in school.

Debra

I realize that. But it pertains to both.

"The school's funding is based on their attendance. They also have had their pencil pushers come up with a formula to identify the point where if so many kids are out, the school begins to lose money."

If the kids are not in school due to illness or bad weather it's the same result.

Lower attendance = less monies.

jwmason,

Mr. Coker was talking about calling off school because of illness NOT because of snow. One has nothing to do with the other.

Terry George, Dawn, and Jazzy3,

Well Said!! I couldn't agree more!!

Well I know that if schools are closed due to illness them I am glad. I do not want my child to get the flu or whatever is going around. I am not sure if anyone read the paper but they did say that The No Child Left Behind Act was part of the reason that they had to close the schools. If you have 300 students and you have 100 out then that makes a big difference. That means that those students would fall behind. I am glad that schools where closed. I have a plan b. What is the uproar all about? Thesnowdays are already worked in the schedule. get your kids a sitter if they need one and get over it.

This is too funny.

As Mr. Coker says:
"Last I heard, that mark was 15% absent. Once they get to that point, district wide, they will cancel school because they are losing money if it is open."

This is a issue of money not the safty of the children.

As for the driving issue:

Some folks are not comfortable with driving in bad weather. I can understand and respect that. I took Drivers Ed in North Dakota and got my first lic. in Germany. While I was born in Arizona, I feel safe with my ability to drive in snow, but I also know my limits.

My kids walk to school (100ft out the back door), but they have cancelled due to weather.
It's just something being a parent has to deal with. Depending on the age of the child determines the need for a babysitter.

Just my 2 bits
back to the name calling. ;-)

When I was a bit younger(not really THAT long ago)there was a day when a light snow was predicted and the schools remained open.The result was a very large snowfall that made traveling very dangerous and the buses had a very difficult time getting the kids home.Some of the children were dropped off around 6:30 or 7:00pm.The county officials had to deal with some very angry and upset parents.After dealing with that they have always erred on the side of caution calling off school when there was even a chance of hazardous driving.If you had been one of those parents,and you didn't know where your first grader was during a major snowstorm you would probably see things in a different perspective.

Can we please keep in mind that we live in the United States of America and that we all are allowed to our own opinions? Why do Portlanders feel the need to bash other Portlanders? Why can’t we value each other as individuals and respect the fact that we don’t all think alike? Personally, I encourage my students to think for themselves, to go against the grain and form personal opinions on topics that actually mean something to them. Wouldn’t that be great if the adults in this town could lead by example and teach our children to actually use his or her brain while still valuing the opinions of others?

THIS IS WHY I MOVE FROM THIS TOWN.

I READ THIS AND SEE NOTHING HAS CHANGE, GET OVER IT FOLKS.

JW,

Why do you take offense to be calling "from the North" or "Northerner"? I always thought if you were born in the North you were a Northerner and if you were born in the south you were a Southerner. What do you want to be called? And why in the world did you bring up the Civil War?

dsc,

I use to drive in the snow until one year I slid off the road, down a steep embankment,with my 3 year old in the car. I have not read here that anyone said Northerners are BAD. Where did that come from?

All in All it looks like to me that the Northerners, or whatever you want to be called, are the ones with the problem.

I am really confused.

And we wonder why our children act they way they do in this town? What does a school system canceling for snow or not canceling for snow have to do with how a community feels about the youth?

While I do agree that it is better to be safe than sorry....I did grow up in the North and I did attend school on days when snow actually accumulated. It is not that the North does not care about the safety of its children, but rather, that Northerners are used to driving in inclement weather and thus more comfortable on snowy roads. With that in mind, Northern states are also used to plowing and salting roads and are extremely efficient in doing so. Basically, just because students in the North attend school when snow has fallen in no way means that the children are being put in harms way. If that was the case, the schools are smart enough to cancel and have done so in the past.

Can we please keep in mind that we live in the United States of America and that we all are allowed to our own opinions? Why do Portlanders feel the need to bash other Portlanders? Why can’t we value each other as individuals and respect the fact that we don’t all think alike? Personally, I encourage my students to think for themselves, to go against the grain and form personal opinions on topics that actually mean something to them. Wouldn’t that be great if the adults in this town could lead by example and teach our children to actually use his or her brain while still valuing the opinions of others?

John L:
Your remarks about Southerners caring more than Northerners do about their children is insulting, offensive and really shows a great deal of inability to see the issue here. It's too bad that someone from the a snowy area can't say that in the area they grew up in, schools weren't closed because of a weather prediction, without someone making it into a name-calling rehash of a war that ended 140 years ago.
The adjustment that was hard for my family was the concept of county-wide schools; that inclement weather in Portland means that schools are closed in Gallatin, Hendersonville and Goodletsville. When just the prediction of snow sends the entire county into a tizzy, it is especially frustrating.
I agree that parents need to have a back-up plan for child care on snow days, and I know from experience that it can be really hard to find someone who will watch children when schools are closed. I spent 6 years as a single Mom, and had to find back-up sitters on a regular basis. It wasn't fun. Maybe instead of name-calling, we could offer to help a friend who needs someone to watch their children on snow days.

PS I live here now because I was under the impression that folks in Tennessee were friendly, open and really cared about each other. I didn't realize that that attitude only applied to other southerners; that having a "Yankee" accent would be such a huge liability. I have never felt like such an outsider in my entire life. Attitudes like those on this posting may help explain why.

This is just to explain a bit about a point someone brought up about closing schools due to sickness.

The school's funding is based on their attendance. They also have had their pencil pushers come up with a formula to identify the point where if so many kids are out, the school begins to lose money.

Last I heard, that mark was 15% absent. Once they get to that point, district wide, they will cancel school because they are losing money if it is open.

My question is: Why is the childrens safety tested up North?? If they are made to go to school when the roads are hazardous and they get hurt or worse killed who do you blame??

It seems to me that the South cares more about the safety of their children. So what if they call school off because of a prediction. Safety first and always!! Are you upset because you haven't prepared for this?
All the Northerners that have posted here have lived here long enough to know how our school system works. Why are you complaining now??

Ditto what dsc said.

Now for dontmakemelaugh:

First of all......Why do I need to explain to you why I live in Tn? I don't recall saying I did not like it here....I just find some of the reaction to PREDICTED weather rather extreme to say the least. I think some people just enjoy being in crisis mode.

By the way, I am not the one who made this a north/south issue.

dsc,

You might be 1/2 Southern but your comments are 100% Northern. If you "Northern" people love the ways of the North so much why are you living in TENNESSEE? Just like Tracy implied "Better safe than sorry". Tracy, if you have lived here for 25 years you are southern by now.

This is just the way things are down here so get use to it.

Jazzy3

First of all, I agree, call off schools when there is snow...key word, when there is SNOW! This is so silly it's not funny. Calling off schools because of a prediction? I know I know, "thems damn yankees telling us how to live" No I'm not, it's just common sense, like JW said, people in the north go on about their daily things snow or no snow, they don't call off school and work all because of a prediction. Jazzy3, just because you're not use to snow, doesn't mean you can't learn to drive in it, or here's an idea, have the bus drivers drive in it for practice just in case they ever get caught in it for real with our children on the bus. If us Northerns are so bad, then why do we drive better and know how to adjust to certain situations rain, sleet, or snow. I know there are some really scary back roads around here, but in my 20 years of living here, I have not seen one snow fall that would keep me off the roads, and trust me, I live way way out in the country with lots of hills, and I still make it to work, rain, sleet or snow. Now, ice is a different story, it doesn't matter if you have a tank, you can't do anything on ice. Now, here's another one for you, have you ever stopped and asked yourself "how much money it's costing the tax payers for these salt trucks to be out on just a prediction?" Over the years I have seen salt trucks out in the rain, on clear sunny days etc...just on a prediction of snow. That is just silly. My Dad and his family grew up around here, so I'm 1/2 south and 1/2 north. I'm not putting anyone down, most of my kin live here, and they also think it's very silly the way these snow days are. We need to get up to date on some things around here.

JW & Tracy - I spent 4 yrs in Oswego NY, NW of Syracuse on Lake Ontario, long enough to realize having winter weather 7 months out of the year was CRAZY, not to mention the countless hours of shoveling snow to get out of the driveway only to have the plows come by and burry you again!! One day we thawed out and said Seeee Yaaa!! These 4 years followed 35 years of living in South Florida...... YES I'm Nuts!!

Very good point about the teenagers just learning to drive, they definately don't need to be going back and forth to school on slick roads.

Im from Rockford Ill. and boy do I remember the snow I went to school in, the snow plows would push it up higher than buildings, so 25 yrs ago when I moved here, wow!!! was I excited the first 2 years I lived here I didnt wear a winter coat, but Illinios is flat land, and here its so hilly and theres lots of narrow roads and I think experience here has taught our superintendent better safe than sorry, its only been a couple years ago that Gallatin didnt get much snow but Portland and Westmoreland got a couple inches , they didnt call off school that day and Westmoreland and Portland had bus crashes and and then on top of that you have the high schoolers who are just learning drive, driving on icy roads, and it was just a huge disaster, so I know its inconvenient but if you live in Portland, there are a few people that are regular babysitters that you can have on a snowday stand by to help out, and welcome fellow Northern :)God Bless, Ive been here as I stated 25 yrs. now and my best friend still tells people Im not a native, but she does with that beautiful drawl and a big southern heart and so I dont mind so much being called a dang yankee :)

Bubba’s incline to think if you ain’t prepared to deal with ALL the things that have to do with “raising” children then don’t “drink the water” per say… Schools close, braces, broken bones, scraped knees and, well yata yata.. Do they cost us time and money? You bet! Are they worth it? You can bet every Single Breathing Moment and Penny, they are!! Hopefully your child won’t EVER be in a School Bus that gets wrapped around a tree cuz it couldn’t STOP….

JW… Your type (I ain’t talking Yankee, but political) brought this on. The schools are in a no win situation. If they close school after the fact, and God forbid something happens, they are screwed.. At least if they close the schools on a “weather forecast” all they get is silly heat like this thread. Personally I’d take the “silly heat” from a thread like this any day over a child getting injured or worse…

Bubba

Jazzy3,

I agree it should be called off for snow, but how many times is school cancelled due to the mere PREDICTION of snow, only to end up with none.

I realize this time school is called off due to illness (at least thats their excuse, which is something else I have never heard of before), But how many time in the past has school been cancelled before anything even happened....I think that is the main point we are trying to make.

Sounds like you may still be fighting that ole Civil War with us "People from the North".

Seems funny to me that "people from the North" are able to continue to function in all types of weather.....even go to school!!!!

Well the emergency route would work for kids in the city limits but like DebraP said the ones out in the country would not show up for the emergency routes. Alot of people that live in these rural areas can't even get to the main roads when it snows around here. Some people will not drive in the snow. Me included.

I live in the city limits and I am glad when they call off school for snow. I do not want my child riding the bus in those conditions. School is called off for the safety of the children. Not just for the heck of it. People from the north are use to the snow. WE ARE NOT!!

Judy,

I am right there with you about this issue.

I am originally from Chicago (yes I know...A Yankee) and we would get 3 to 6 inches of snow a day this time of year and would still have school. It had to snow 10 inches AND be blowing for us to get out of school and then it was even rare. I was shocked when I first moved here and they cancelled school because the weather folk merely predicted snow......What is that!!!! My first thought when this happened right after we first moved here was.........Why couldn't we have lived HERE when I was in school!!!!?

Schools here don't run like they do back home....In Ilinois all school districts are City run schools, no matter how small, so each individual city could cancel....here they are county run schools, so when one school needs to cancel all county schools cancel.

DebraP - Yes I am referring to emergency routes that just run on the main roads, with designated pick up places where the parents can bring the children for pick up. I understand that alot of the roads are rural or country roads, but most parents do work and surely the majority of them don't let a little snow stop them from getting to work. Oh well.... just my thoughts. I've lived here 12 years and the first place I've lived where kids are picked up in front of their houses which is great especially these days!

I do realize that they do build in a certain number of snow days into the calender year, but should they use these when it may not be necessary. Like you said this impacts more than just the school kids and a parent without a backup could possibly find themselves in the situation of missing work which in most cases is a loss of income.

I don't have school age children, but I do have grandkids in local schools of which I am the back up on these days.............. Calgon Take Me Away! LOL

County schools operate as a whole not individually. I do not understand what you mean by "emergency snow route". Alot of routes in Sumner County are country or rural routes. Do you mean just have the buses travel the main highways during snow?? Then you might as well close the schools anyways because half the students would not be there. The schools in Tennessee are allowed so many snow days a year. These can be used for snow, sickness, etc.

I know this can put a stress on parents who do not have a backup plan, i.e. babysitters, etc. This also puts a stress on places of business because when there is no school parents do not show up for work.