Cambridge Superintendent Takes Heat For Not Canceling School

CAMBRIDGE, MA – Cambridge Public Schools remained open during Thursday's snowstorm, despite many districts across the state, including those neighboring the city, canceling classes. The response to the decision not to call a snow day was mixed, with some people expressing "relief or support" and others "questioning whether [administrators] made the right judgement call," Superintendent Kenneth Salim wrote in a letter to parents Thursday.

In his letter, Salim explained the decision to leave school open, a move that some parents called "ridiculous." He said during Thursday's storm there was no parking ban, no state of emergency called and conditions appeared safe around schools early that morning.

"Although conditions were generally calm here in Cambridge, we recognize that it was difficult for staff members to make it into the City from many neighboring communities," Salim wrote. "We also understand that some families will choose to keep their children home from school. In general, most schools reported above average teacher and student absence."

He went on to acknowledge that while he believes it was safe for students to travel to school Thursday, he is "less certain about whether staying open was the most productive decision." Going forward the district will look at its snow policies in the context of their impact on staff members who live in other communities, according to Salim.

Read the full letter from Superintendent Kenneth Salim here.

Patch file photo