Plainfield Parents Blast District For Not Closing Schools

PLAINFIELD, IL — As icy conditions led to multiple crashes, including several fatalities, on area roadways, Plainfield and Illinois State Police urged drivers to stay off the roads unless they absolutely had to travel. But as nearby school districts including Joliet, Troy, Channahon, Minooka and several area Catholic schools made the decision to cancel classes, District 202 notified parents that schools would be open Thursday, although buses were delayed.

That decision prompted anger among some Plainfield-area parents, who blasted the district on social media. On Plainfield Patch's Facebook page, some parents complained that dangerous conditions made it unsafe for students to go to school.

"My son has texted me saying he has no teacher & hardly anyone at school staff & students," one mom said. Another wrote, "Shame on Plainfield school dist.! At least should have had late start! As (a district spokesman) was making the call my Daughter was already on her way to school & hit a light pole! Had I known about the black ice I would have kept her home."

Related: Black Ice Causes More Than Fifty Crashes In Chicago Area

1 Person Killed After Car, Semi Collide In Tinley Park

1 Dead In Crash Involving PACE Bus Near North Aurora

The icy conditions also prompted Waste Management to halt trash and recycling pickup in Plainfield and nearby towns including Joliet, Naperville and Romeoville on Wednesday, delaying service by one day.

In a Facebook post early Wednesday, District 202 shared its bad weather policy, which states:

If the schools are open but parents believe that their child's normal route to school is unsafe, parents should keep their child at home.

All principals are instructed that students shall be given an "excused absence" if kept home because either transportation was unavailable or, in the judgment of the parents, the walk was not safe.

Elementary and Middle School parents should explain this in a note to the principal following the student's return to school, and should then contact the school to see that the child makes up work missed.

High School parents should call the attendance office rather than send a written note.

No comments from parents were visible on the District 202 Facebook post thanks to the district's social media policy, which dictates that Facebook is used as a "one-way platform" to share information.

"Comments made to posts on the District 202 Facebook page will be received by the District 202 Facebook page administrator but will not be published or visible on the District 202 Facebook page," the district says, adding that there's no guarantee comments will be passed on to school administrators.

As of around 10 a.m., Plainfield police said roads remained slick but were slowly improving. Anyone who was involved in a minor crash but could still drive their car was asked to exchange information with the other driver and head to the Plainfield Police Department, 143000 Coil Plus Drive, later in the day to make a report.

Image via Shutterstock