It's about safety and responsibility
By Kevin Schnepp

Delphi School Corporation Superintendent Ralph Walker issued the following statement to parents:

"I would like to emphasize to parents that they have the final say when it comes to their children's safety concerning weather-related school delays or closings," Walker began.

"More important than how I make the decision to close or delay school," he continued, "is that even if I say school is open, parents have the right to keep their children at home in bad weather."

"Sometimes things look fine in general, but those who find conditions unsafe in their area have the right to call and explain they are keeping their child home for safety reasons. I respect that. Students who are kept home in such cases will be excused from the absence."

"I like to decide by 5 a.m. which course the school day will take," Walker stated. "I take into consideration the weather forecast, road conditions and timeframes. That way, parents have an opportunity to plan ahead. A lot goes into a decision to close or delay school. Most important is child safety."

"Latchkey children are a big concern to me," he explained. "If I don't give proper notice, parents might not have time to arrange a way for the children not to be home alone."