Sudbury Public Schools Declares Transportation Snow Emergency

With all of the snow that has buried Sudbury this winter, roads and sidewalks have become narrower and dangerous to both motor vehicles pedestrians — and that includes students.

Because of this, Sudbury Public Schools Superintendent John Brackett has issued a transportation snow emergency and plans to modify policies to address safety issues.

"This is an extraordinary winter that is challenging all of us at work, at home and on the roads," Brackett said in a statement e-mailed to Sudbury Patch. "We are all going to have to work cooperatively to get through these times safely and sanely.

"I shared with you that sidewalks are not plowed and roads are getting very narrow.  In some cases the roads are down to one reasonably passable lane.  Buses can't turn around and are not very nimble so please anticipate how you might help resolve passing issues if coming upon a school bus or van carrying our children."

Parents who have concerns with their child's bus stop due to the snow or due to visibility caused by snow piles are asked to call or e-mail the transportation office at 978-639-3215 or rita_skog@sudbury.k12.ma.us. Every concern will be assessed, according to Brackett, and efforts to identify a more appropriate location will be made if merited. 

"We are not equipped to do door-to-door service but (we'll) work with you to ensure our children are as safe as possible," Brackett said.

Brackett has instructed the bus drivers to use their best judgment and common sense and adjust pick-up and drop-off points as they deem necessary.

"These changes will mean that it will take the buses even more time to complete their routes," Brackett said. "Please be patient.  Given the variability of the daily weather and traffic conditions, it is not possible to provide an accurate pick-up or drop-off time for each stop.  The certainty is that buses will likely arrive late; our schools and staff are aware and will accommodate this fact."

In regards to roof safety to due increasing snowfalls, Brackett said roofs of all public schools in town are being monitored, but that schools are built to a much higher standard than some of the commerical buildings that have collapsed around the state recently.

"We too are concerned with the amount of snow," Brackett said. "Again today, we have staff continuing with a physical assessment of each roof.  We are starting with Noyes and Nixon, the oldest roofs, and working through the remaining schools.  We will repeat this as more snow accumulates." 

The assessment includes ensuring roof drains are open and that snow levels through drifting are not putting exceptional stress on the structure.  Brackett said a check earlier this week found that the schools were substantially under the load rating for the roof. 

"This was before the last storm and that is why we are continuing to assess," he said. "Any safety or structural concerns will be addressed immediately and students and staff would not be placed in any area of known weakness."