What goes into deciding a snow day?

by BETH WHEELOCK ( Contact )   Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010
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A lot of factors go in to deciding whether local schools will have a snow day. Van Galder Bus Company helps the school district make the decision.

Van Galder employees drive the rural roads at around 3:00 a.m. on a potential snow day to see if the roads are clear enough for the buses.

School bus manager Nancy Sonntag says there are certain rural areas where drivers will not drive down the roads when it is snowing and drifting.

She says the drivers set up pre-arranged pick up points for some rural areas or they contact the parents to provide transportation.

reader COMMENTS (4)
tom1cass2
Jan 8, 2010 at 1:40 p.m.
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Just because you are not afraid to drive in the snow don't assume everyone has the same feelings. And not all cars drive the same in snow, I have driven highways that no matter what kind of car I drove were terrible to drive on and you couldn't do over 25 - 30 miles an hour or you would be in a ditch.

havingfun
Jan 7, 2010 at 1:19 p.m.
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Not only should you be able to drive in Wisconsin weather but you should also be able to dress properly for the cold, snow etc. With todays technology.....there should rarely be school closings.

frogger
Jan 7, 2010 at 11:02 a.m.
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" Never left early and always made it on time."
I drive hwy 26 everyday as well but further than you. You will get behind if you're behind traffic that is going 35-40 when the road isn't bad at all. You cannot pass because traffic is just busy enough.
So that line is bull sorry.
Or are you the one that passes when it isn't safe?

Napalm
Jan 7, 2010 at 10:53 a.m.
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We live in WI. We have not experienced any kind of harsh snow in a few years. I drove a small front wheel drive car for 4 years from Janesville to Milton. Never left early and always made it on time. People need to be prepared for the weather in the state that we live in. Paranoid people are the most dangerous out there. They can do 45mph in a 55 zone, but have to do 20 in a 40 zone. Why? All you need to do is allow yourself a safe distance to stop. In a vehicle properly setup for the region we live in driving in snow isnt much different than rain. They should make winter driving classes mandatory to obtain a WI drivers license.

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