WESTFIELD — On Friday, Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski announced that Westfield schools will be closed on Monday due to the impending snowstorm.
Speaking to the Westfield News a few hours before making the official call, Czaporowski said his additional concern is if the area gets as much snow as predicted — and forecasts seem to keep going up — whether Tuesday’s school day would be affected.
As of Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service had issued a winter storm warning from Sunday at 7 a.m. throught Monday at 8 p.m. with total snow accumulations projected between 12 and 17 inches.
“It’s likely there could be a two-hour delay or a cancellation if we get a foot and a half of snow,” Czaporowski said, referring to Tuesday’s outlook. “It’s about clearing the parking lots and schools, too. Our priority is the safety of our staff and students.”
He said Christopher Rogers, director of safety for the district, has been talking to the Department of Public Works.
This would be the first snow day of the school year. To date, Westfield has only called a two-hour delay. Every year, five days are built into the school calendar for snow days. Last year, only one was used, and school got out earlier in June.
“Our last day of school with no snow days is June 17, which is a Wednesday. If we use one, the last day is June 18. If we use two, that will bring us to the following week, because June 19 is a holiday,” Czaporowski said, adding that the last day of school is a half day.
The conversation was interrupted by a call from the mayor to discuss snow closures. “Obviously, we like to stay on the same page. I’m also going to be checking in later today with some of my superintendent colleagues, to see if they’re going to wait until Sunday,” Czaporowski said after the call.
“Our conversations are already starting. We’re not waiting until Sunday,” he added.
