Snow days should only be for students

School was cancelled today (Jan. 14), and I’m assuming it was due to the meltdown caused by the huge snow we had yesterday followed with rain during the night and day today. Slush was everywhere yesterday but today even side and back roads were mostly just wet. But there was no school. And Monday is a holiday, so this will be a five-day weekend for district employees. Wow.

So I have to wonder why it is the employees of the school district stay home and are paid to do so by the taxpayers, when every other adult in the county has to shovel their way out of their driveways and report to work. The administration says it’s a “safety” issue. I can buy that for the students on busses and walking — but all the adults have means to get to work (and to Schweitzer on snow days).

There must be times when teachers need to collaborate with their peers regarding the students in their care. And they must have papers to grade and class plans to prepare. So tell me again why they can’t use the quiet, non-student “snow day” to do these things. Wouldn’t it be beneficial for them to use this time in such a positive way? Is there not anything they can do without the students?

I was told years ago the teachers did have to report to work and their time was used in positive ways, but somewhere along the line, the union “negotiated” that all employees of the district be treated the same, by being paid to stay home. The teachers were paid by the state for the emergency closure, but the cooks and bus drivers wouldn’t have anything to do, and it would not be “fair” for them not to be paid for not working. So even though the janitors, secretaries, teachers and principals could use the time constructively to get all that nasty paperwork and other things caught up, we instead pay everyone to stay home. Is this “fair” to the taxpayers?

I’m told all district employees are given “personal” days (vacation days). Could these be used on snow days, if chosen to be used? Benefits like this are glaring in today’s economy and one would think maybe this policy should be revisited by the union and the administration.

PHILLIP FORTIN

Sagle