North Kitsap was the sole district to even open late that day, by two hours. From North Kitsap to North Mason, most school districts follow a similar decision-making path when it comes to calling a snow day. Some directors compare notes. Then, they huddle with district administrators by 5 a.m. to get the word out by phone, radio, TV and the Web. Michael Shields, South Kitsap's transportation chief, echoed that sentiment.
Shields knows that other climates are more tolerant of snow.
But this ain't the land o' lakes, no matter what Mr. Outdoors tells you. Here in Kitsap, we don't have the snow-plow equipment nor the educated drivers to handle a snowy commute. So Shields and other school-bus bosses tend to make the safest decisions when it comes to snow days. It's just as easy to have school on a nice day. They might tell you differently.