Safety is a main concern in deciding if schools will open after a major snowstorm.
Many of the main roads are clear after the weekend blizzard, but progress on the back roads that are more common in the rural areas was a major factor in deciding to close schools and delayed openings today.
"We were prepared for the storm, however, there were some major circumstances that made it difficult," explained Dale Archer, mayor of East Greenwich township.
Plowing began as early as 8 p.m. Friday, but with high winds and sporadic snowfall, the task of keeping roads clear was a difficult one. Some areas had snowdrifts more than 3 feet high and even after numerous hours of plowing, there was more yet to be completed by Monday morning.
Snow piled from the streets onto sidewalks from plows was a consideration in some school districts. Kingsway and South Harrison School Districts, where many rely on the walkways to get to school, had to evaluate the status of their regional areas' sidewalks, according to Superintendent Jim Lavender. Even in areas where walkways weren't buried under snow, there was worry that cold morning temperatures may cause icing on the walkways and bus stops that could be dangerous for students to walk on.
Whatever factor school districts considered, the most common concern shared was safety.
"The winds and the snowdrift made cleanup progress slow, and we didn't feel like it's worth the risk," said Thomas Coleman, the superintendent for Woodstown-Pilesgrove school district. "Safety trumped everything else."
Most school districts have snow days built into the school year, with days being made up during spring vacation. Some schools however just add the day to the end of the school year, but try to avoid it as much as possible so graduation dates don't change.
With snow clearing still ongoing after this monster blizzard, districts plan to have schools opened by tomorrow.
Anthony Medina may be reached at amedina@njadvancemedia.com. Follow South Jersey Times on Twitter @theSJTimes. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.