Schools explain decision to cancel for winter weather

Wintry weather conditions kept dozens of schools closed across Mid-Missouri Monday.’

The roads were mostly cleared up by late morning and no longer slick.

ABC 17 News asked Columbia Public Schools officials why they made the call to cancel school instead of using the new delayed start policy, which has already been used earlier this school year.

“We did consider the possibility of doing a late start, but given the timing for temperatures and potentially not having those warm up throughout the course of the day, it didn’t seem like a good option for us,” said Columbia Public Schools spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark.

CPS said buses need more time to get up and running in cold temperatures like Mid-Missouri experienced Monday morning.

Being able to get sidewalks and ramps treated on all CPS campuses is another factor the district has to consider when deciding whether or not to cancel or delay school.