Goodrich-Concerns regarding school tornado policy were voiced at Monday’s meeting of the Goodrich Area Schools Board of Education.
Parents and board members alike expressed anxiety about reports of students going to restaurants, movies and malls instead of seeking shelter after a March 20 early dismissal.
The cancelation came in response to a Goodrich school district policy requiring students be dismissed in the event a tornado watch is issued.
Superintendent Kimberly Hart said school was canceled at 7:15 a.m. Because school begins at 7:30 a.m. for Goodrich Middle School and Goodrich High School, the late cancelation caused conflict for parents needing alternate arrangements
Hart said the delay was caused by conflicting information as to whether or not there was, in fact, a tornado watch in effect.
Board trustee Michael Thorp said confusion was caused by a tornado watch in Oakland County that bled over into parts of Genesee County on some computerized weather trackers.
Thorp said it was later established there was, in actuality, no tornado watch in Goodrich until 11 a.m.
Hart asked board members what action, if any, should be taken in regards to the policy.
‘It’s really your call as a board here,? said Hart.
Ultimately, Thorp made a motion to give Hart ‘some discretion? in the event of a similar situation until a new policy is in place.
‘We have done some research on the issue and we have a policy that delegates the authority to the superintendent to develop administrative guidelines,? said Hart.
‘Most likely I’m going to continue erring on the side of safety,? said Hart. ‘That’s where we’re going to use discretion. We won’t put students in jeopardy.?
‘We don’t want parents to worry about leaving kids home alone,? added Hart.
Most who addressed the subject were in agreement that students should be kept in school if a watch is issued after the start of classes.
If, on the other hand, school has not started yet, then majority opinion appeared to be students should be kept home.
Hart said the new policy will most likely mirror that sentiment.
‘We are going to change (the policy) to where we keep (students) in place in case of a warning,? said Hart.
Parents, Hart emphasized, will always have the option to remove their children from class if they feel weather dictates such action.