By Josh Smith
Anchor / WJHL
Published: January 7, 2010

A viewer recently told me on Facebook that she really loves her kids, but if they’re stuck at home because of snow ONE MORE DAY… well…. it might get ugly.

Today is another day of ringing phones at the 11 Connects newsroom.  Some calls are coming from schools asking us to alert our viewers and readers of early dismissals.  Other calls are coming from parents and family asking for updates and clarification about school schedule changes.

So far, no calls today about “Young and the Restless” (see yesterday’s blog).

It’s been a dreadful week to be a school administroator,  Cancel, delay, dismiss early - how does one decide?

Kingsport’s director of schools caught such flack about his decision to be on regular schedule Tuesday that he posted an open letter to parents on the school’s website.  Early that morning, roads were fine in Kingsport.  But as the morning progresses, the snow kept falling, and traveler became increasingly treacherous.

“While recognizing that some streets were snow covered, cancelling or delaying school at this point would have created a new set of safety issues for many more students whose parents had left home (for work, etc.) or students already waiting at the bus stop,“ Dr. Richard Kitzmiller wrote.  Here’s the link to the website.:  http://kingsport.schoolfusion.us/

This morning, we heard from Johnson City school leaders who decided to dismiss early.  That triggered a floodgate of early closures today from administrators across the region.  All this as the Storm Team predicts only a light dusting of snow this afternoon for most of the region.

Overreacting?  Better safe than sorry?

We welcome your comments here on 11Connects.com.