Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Repeated bouts of snow and wind created jagged drifts, but no snow days for Colfax students.
As snow has fallen and fallen again throughout February, Colfax school district's summer construction calendar has remained despite a series of late session starts.
The schedule, which puts the start of school next year after the Palouse Empire Fair, and other adjustments, was set last year to allow time for the $18.9 million bond construction to begin with the first phase during spring break in April.
"We'd have to go to an extreme number of late starts or cancellations to affect the calendar," said Superintendent Jerry Pugh.
The state requirement is 180 days per school year.
If a district falls short of 180 days at the end of a year, the state may grant a waiver if the district exceeds the hours of instruction.
"We haven't fortunately had to close school. Things have worked out," said Pugh.
Over the past month of snows, Pugh and others have been out in the early mornings of snowfall driving county roads to later decide how to proceed.
Sometimes it's a delay, sometimes they make the announcement that buses will run emergency routes only, which means they do not travel certain full-routes, such as those with gravel roads, depending on conditions. Pick-up locations are adjusted for the emergency routes.
For example, if Almota Road is open, pick-up from the nearby gravel road stops is consolidated to Onecho Church. Parents who are able may transport their children to the consolidated stop for the emergency route.
If a parent decides to keep a child at home for the day, it is an excused absence.
On Monday afternoon, Feb. 25, with wind picking up, Pugh was out on the roads again in his 2000 Ford F-150.
"26 was a white-out for a bit," he said of that day.
He and Craig McCully, transportation supervisor, made the decision to send kids and teachers home early.
Colfax has not canceled a full day this year.
"If it's not safe, we're not having school," Pugh said. "The construction calendar is not trumping school safety. I can't tell you how seriously I take that."
Pugh praised the Colfax city crews and county crews for their work keeping roads cleared.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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