TDSB education director defends decision to close schools due to snow
Posted February 2, 2011 2:07 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – The director of education for the Toronto District School Board defended his decision to close all schools, Wednesday, even though the snow storm was less severe than expected.
Chris Spence said it was a safety issue and that the TDSB erred on the side of caution.
He said he didn’t like what he saw outside his window around 5:30 a.m. It was very snowy, so he consulted with the head of Transportation Services to get its opinion.
Spence talked to the school board chair and the separate school board, and together they agreed the schools should be closed for the day.
“You try to do the best that you can, given what you know, and you talk to people, you listen, you make the decision and you stick by it. And the guiding principle is safety for students and staff,” he said.
Spence did admit he received some angry phone calls and e-mails from parents and teachers who were frustrated this decision wasn’t made earlier.
