Lehighton Area School District’s superintendent defended the district’s decision not to call a weather delay Monday, saying the choice followed a structured process focused on safety, instructional time and family impact.

Superintendent Jason Moser addressed the issue during his report at Monday night’s school board meeting after parents raised concerns about winter weather conditions.

“There is a very methodical process, and we do the best we can when making these decisions,” Moser said.

Moser said the district had already determined it would not call a delay, which is why no announcement was made the night before.

“The biggest complaint I heard was why a call wasn’t made the night before,” Moser said. “In this case, we had already decided that we were not going to make a call, so there was no call to make.”

He said transportation safety is the first factor considered when weather is pending, and the district relies heavily on communication with its transportation provider.

“If our transportation provider has serious concerns about sending their employees out with the responsibility of safely transporting students, I have to respect that,” Moser said.

Lehighton uses George’s Transportation, the same company that transports Palmerton Area School District students. Palmerton’s administration made the call Sunday night to have a two-hour delay Monday morning.

Student drivers are also a key consideration, Moser said.

“We have 16-, 17- and 18-year-old students driving to school, and they do not have the same level of experience as professional drivers,” Moser said.

Moser said he begins monitoring conditions early in the morning when weather is expected.

“When there is a pending storm, I am up by 4 a.m. and usually in communication by 4:15 or 4:30,” he said. “I set an alarm so those conversations can happen.”

Temperature and wind chill are reviewed, but Moser said a delay does not automatically make travel safer.

“If the temperature only changes by one or two degrees because of a two-hour delay, I’m not sure you’re gaining much,” he said. “Either it’s safe, or it’s not.”

Moser said instructional impact is another reason he is cautious about delays.

“Two-hour delays are not very effective instructional days,” he said. “Schedules are shortened, and the learning environment is disrupted.”

He also said delays can affect access to meals for students.

“On a full day, students are guaranteed access to both breakfast and lunch,” Moser said. “Some of our most vulnerable students depend on that.”

Moser said he tries to give families advance notice whenever possible.

“If I know the night before that we are definitely facing a delay or closure, I will call it the night before,” he said.

He acknowledged that the decision not to call a delay was unpopular.

“I can promise you that not calling a delay today made me the most unpopular person in my own house,” Moser said.

Moser asked for patience from families, saying weather-related decisions are not taken lightly.

“I ask for grace and want people to know this is an important decision-making process,” he said.

He said the district’s guiding principle remains keeping students in school when conditions allow.

“The best place for our kids to be, if they can safely be there, is in school,” Moser said.