Damned if you do and damned if you don't!

That's the position school officials often put themselves into with school delays and closures.There were a few times officials closed or delayed schools this year whereby weather predictions didn't pan out to be as severe as expected. As a result, social networking sites were a little tough at times on the choices school officials made.Frankly, it is better to err on the side of caution, especially when it involves our most precious resources - our children and grandchildren.It's better they start school a little later in the day, or have the day off, then be exposed to the dangers of inclement weather.What parent wants to see their child on a school bus when roads are icy or snow covered?Even worse, does anyone want to see children standing at bus stops or walking along streets while motor vehicles are whizzing past during slippery conditions?It's true that in those good ole days, school was hardly ever canceled.We live in different times today. There are more vehicles on the road. More rural areas are developed which don't have the immediate road maintenance that towns receive.If a bus accident can be avoided by keeping the buses off the roads during treacherous weather conditions, then that's the right choice.Sending the children to school when there's a prediction of severe weather doesn't make sense. It means the youngsters could be coming home in dangerous weather conditions.It's not just riding the buses which are a concern. In fact, buses are very safe and the drivers do an excellent job.It's other motorists which are the concern. A car can do a lot of damage sliding on ice and hitting a bus stop. Or a bus. Or a group of children walking to school.Don't complain when schools are closed or delayed. Instead, thank the administrators for giving priority to the safety of the children.By RON GOWERrgower@tnonline.com