Outages Close Schools for Sixth Straight Day

For the sixth straight day, Washington Township Schools and West Morris Regional High School District have announced it will be closed on Monday, Nov. 5, according to the Honeywell instant alert system.

The decision came early Sunday afternoon when it was realized too many roads were still impassable in the township, and power outages remained for residents and school buildings alike.

No decision has been made yet on additional days to be closed.

The Washington Township district has decided, however, classes will be held–if schools are actually opened–Thursday and Friday, despite the calendar previously stating schools would be closed for the New Jersey Education Association's annual convention in Atlantic City. 

The West Morris Regional High School District also announced Sunday that, if conditions were good enough for class to be in session, schools would open for those same days in lieu of the NJEA convention.

Due to Hurricane Sandy's damage along the New Jersey shore, the convention was canceled.

"Although conditions are improving, the majority of residents still do not have power and many major roads are impassable," said Superintendent Mackey Pendergrast. "Additionally, increased vehicle traffic will significantly impede the repair effort to our power infrastructure, further complicating residents’ lives in our towns.  Conditions are still unsafe, especially with an increase in the volume of traffic.

"Conditions continue to improve and I am hopeful that we will be back in school this week," Pendergrast said.

Monday marks the sixth inclement weather closing for area schools, where only four have been allotted.