Monroe-Woodbury snow days whittled down to only one now

CENTRAL VALLEY - Two more snow days were used in the Monroe-Woodbury School District this past week, leaving only one day left before the district would start to take back days if more bad weather forced the cancellation of classes. And with today only being a half day for students due a scheduled teacher in-service program, students were only in school two and a half days this past week. Although some parents lamented that the last time their children had a full week of school was during the third week in December before the Christmas holiday break, they were aware the district puts safety issues first when determining whether a snow day would be called. With the forecast calling for ice storm warnings through 6 p.m. on Wednesday, the district took the unusual move of notifying parents Tuesday evening that classes would be cancelled the following morning, versus waiting for an updated forecast and letting them know around 5 a.m. on Wednesday. Monroe-Woodbury School Superintendent Edward Mehrhof said Tuesday night that if it were necessary to take back days, the district would choose between the March 25 Superintendent’s Conference Day or May 27, the Friday before Memorial Day. In the automated voice recording sent to parents who signed up to be part of the district’s telephone notification system, John Harrigan, who creates those messages, also good naturedly reminded receivers of his call that Wednesday was Ground Hog Day. “Looks like six more weeks of winter,” he said in his automated call. Say it ain’t snow. - Nancy Kriz