Let’s get one thing out of the way first: Across our coverage area, Friday morning was cold.
Cold enough that anyone outside was at risk of exposed skin freezing within 10 minutes.
Cold enough that CAA fielded dozens of calls about car batteries that simply refused to start.
It was that cold in Paris and Palmerston, in Milverton and Mount Forest.
So why was it only Waterloo Region that decided it was cold enough to keep schools closed?
“It’s all about student safety,” said Lila Read, a superintendent with the Waterloo Region District School Board.
“We want to make sure our kids are safe.”
A new procedure at the board stipulates that schools are closed whenever wind chill values hit -35 or a lower mark.
The Waterloo Catholic District School Board follows the same guideline.
As a result, both boards decided early Friday morning not to open schools’ doors – even though neighbouring school boards, and French-language schools in Waterloo Region, stayed open.
Officials say it’s all about safety – especially for crossing guards, and for students who may have to spend more than 10 minutes walking to school.
