Parents Express Concerns With Some Districts Holding In-Person Class During Storm

The heavy snow fell just as students across Green Country were heading to school. Some parents are upset most districts continued with in-person learning and they had to send their kids to school.

Concerned parents said they woke up, watched the news, and then asked themselves, "Is my child's life worth the risk?"

Tulsa Public Schools superintendent Deborah Gist, decided to keep students in the classroom today.

"Anticipated precipitation this morning has decreased with the higher totals being in the northern portions of the county. We are expecting some snow in our area – not greater than 1-2 inches – and no ice accumulation that would create unsafe situations for travel or students walking," said Gist in a press release.

Rosemary Rodriguez tried taking her son to Emerson Elementary this morning but crashed on the way.

"I'm just going to turn around and go home. So, I didn't even get him close to the school," said Rodriguez.

She said driving her son to school on snowy days are hard, because her car isn't built for snow.

"I just slid and ran into a curb really hard, so I damaged it. So, I got to take it into the shop," said Rodriguez.

She said she and her kindergartener were terrified on the morning drive.

"It was nerve wrecking. He was scared also, and he was like 'Mom, are we going to be okay?'" said Rodriguez.

Union Public Schools said 27-percent of its students were absent on March 11. Melinda Williams said her daughter is one of those kids.

"When I woke up, I was watching the news and I saw that there was a lot of accidents. So, I really didn't want to put her on the bus. I didn't think it was safe," said Williams.

She said she was surprised the school didn't close.

"I couldn't believe that they didn't call a snow day today. There was plenty of snow, they've called a snow for a lot less," said Williams.

She said she decided to give her daughter a snow day, so she spent her day outside sledding. Other parents said today's decision put students and their parents at an unnecessary risk.

"After seeing what other schools are doing, follow suit. There should be no reason anymore for this type of scenario to happen because there is virtual school," said Victoria Tomlinson. 

Parents say they want a clear understanding of each district's protocol and for districts to be consistent.