The head of Prince George's teachers union said School District 57 trustees should have closed area schools following a record snowfall on Feb. 8.
Joanne Hapke, president of the Prince George District Teachers' Association, urged trustees to change the district's policy in a brief presentation during Tuesday's school board meeting.
Hapke said she heard feedback from teachers who felt that travel to schools during the unusual snowfall presented a safety hazard. The record-breaking snowfall dumped between 35 and 40 centimeters of snow on the region.
"I'm well aware that we live in the north and we have to be ready for all types of conditions. But when conditions are extreme, we need to pause and do what is right," Hapke said.
"On February 8th, schools should have been closed."
Other school districts in the region were closed after the snowfall, Hapke said.
Bus service in Valemount and McBride was cancelled that day. At the time, district chair Tim Bennett encouraged parents to keep their children home.
School District 57 has a policy in place that prohibits school closures during heavy snowfalls.
"I think it is time that this policy be revisited and consideration be given to allow the superintendent to make a decision to close schools in extreme conditions," Hapke said.
Hapke said she would be suggesting an amendment to SD57 policy at the next meeting of the policy and governance committee.
