ALPINE, Utah — The Alpine School District defends its decision to hold classes after a snow storm dropped several inches Thursday.
Some parents complained to FOX 13 that the decision to keep classes was “dangerous” considering schools were closed Monday for far less snow.
Students trudge through heavy snow outside Alpine Elementary at pickup time Thursday, after five inches fell by 1:00 p.m.
There was several more inches of snow than on Monday when the entire district closed due to winter weather.
“On Monday when I woke up and it wasn’t snowing, I was like, ‘Where’s that big snowstorm that was supposed to come?’ It wasn’t here,” Susan Crump said, mother of Alpine Elementary students.
“Our roads are worse today than it was that day,” said Carrie Hansen, mother of six.
Parents tell FOX 13 that the district should have considered closing some schools last minute when it became clear the storm wasn’t letting up in Alpine.
In a statement to FOX 13, Alpine District Spokesperson Kimberly Bird said, “Monday we received a warning of severe winter weather and we did not receive that same notification last night.”
However, the district supports a parent’s decision to keep their children home on days like today.
Alpine Elementary’s principal admits some parents made the call to keep their kids home, but most made it safely to school.
“It was fine,” said Kelly Jones. “There are a lot of parents that need their kids in school. I understand with parents that are working outside the home, it can be a lot more detrimental to have kids at home.”
School districts in Davis and Weber Counties also received complaints from parents for holding class. West Weber and Bountiful picked up around 4 inches Thursday.
