CHUH Superintendent Addresses School Staying Open During Winter Storm, Cancels After School Activities

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH - With much of Northeast Ohio buried in snow this morning, many parents expected the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School district to close. Neighboring districts like Shaker Heights closed Tuesday. However, CHUH schools remained open, but cancelled all after-school activities, and Superintendent Talisa Dixon released a statement to families explaining the decision to remain open during the snow storm.

"We understand that many of you were surprised by our decision to open our schools this morning following the overnight snowfall here in Greater Cleveland. Please know that the safety of students and staff is our number one priority and the driving force behind our decisions," Dixon said in a statement to families posted on the district's website and sent out via social media.

Dixon said that at 4:30 a.m. district leadership began talking with local police departments and road crews to determine the usability of the roads. She said roads were adequately clear when the time came for buses to be deployed. She added that the district found no hazards for students that walk to school.

However, the severe winter weather caused many parents to keep their students out of school. Dixon said those absences would be excused under the circumstances. She also said that all after-school activities have been cancelled for Tuesday.

You can read Dixon's full statement here.

You can also learn more about the district's school closing policy here.

Photo from CHUH Schools