JACKSON TN, (January 10, 2015) – Superintendent Verna Ruffin uses the Thursday night Board meeting to respond to parents and citizens who criticized her decison to open school on regular schedule. The superintendent said many factors go into deciding on whether to open school and on what kind of schedule. If she had it to do again Ruffin didn't say she would make a different decision but she said she would use the experience in the future.
The superintendent used part of her time at the board meeting to explain how Thursday's decision was made. Ruffin said she relies on information received from her team as well as talking with other system superintendents in the surrounding area, and any information she receives from law enforcement, and EMA. "There are consequences for delayed schedules and closing school that have to be considered", Ruffin said. "It could require children to spend extended time at bus stops or unsupervised at home, causes scheduling conflicts for parents, so, many factors must be weighed on both sides for each weather related incident.
It's not clear how many but some parents used social media to express their frustrations that public schools were open on regular schedule. Wintry weather mix of rain and cold temps created potentially dangerous road conditions in some areas. While major roads were wet, some of the rural roads and city side streets were icy. According to public school officials, two buses had troubles, one slid and required assistance, the other was able to go on without assistance and complete it's route.
There was an accident in the 500 block of Arlington Ave. involving a student driving to school and a 14-year-old walking to school
Police said the 14-year-old was taken to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital with non-serious injuries.
Road conditions likely contributed to the accident. The driver said she lost control after the car slid coming around a curve. The car struck the 14-year-old walking on the sidewalk, struck a parked car, and eventually stopped after hitting an HVAC unit at 522 Arlington Ave.
According to Jackson Police, between 6:00 AM and 11:00 AM officers respond to 11 calls for assistance related to weather related incidents. No figures were immediately available of how that compares to other comparable times.
No schools in Jackson/ Madison County, either public or private closed due to the weather.
