Freezing rain causes transportation trouble

MOSES LAKE - Freezing rain and ice-covered roads delayed or

canceled school around Grant County Friday.

While school went on in Wilson Creek and Quincy school districts

after a two-hour delay, others were closed entirely.

MOSES LAKE - Freezing rain and ice-covered roads delayed or canceled school around Grant County Friday.

While school went on in Wilson Creek and Quincy school districts after a two-hour delay, others were closed entirely.

"It was treacherous, icy conditions when we first made the call," says Moses Lake Superintendent Michelle Price. "We thought delaying two hours would give the county time to de-ice and such, but by seven we realized there was still freezing going on."

Price and transportation manager John Eschenbacher made the decision to cancel school before any buses went out to pick up students.

"We decided closing was in the best interest, safety-wise, of all our students," Price said.

Eschenbacher says the freezing rain began early in the morning and by 5 a.m. the roads were not drivable except where de-icer had been put down.

"We knew it was going to warm up but we weren't sure how soon," Eschenbacher said. "At seven it was still too icy."

Eschenbacher says transportation staff considered two major elements before deciding to cancel school.

"We look at if you can physically control your vehicle okay and is it slick enough that other cars could slide into us," Eschenbacher said.

Ephrata schools were also closed due to poor driving conditions.

"There's no stability on the road," says Ephrata School District Transportation Manager Deb Bevier, "You go to stop and you just keep sliding."

Bevier says that a few buses attempted to pick up students, but were called back.

"I talked with my superintendent around a quarter after eight and that's when we called it," said Bevier.

"It was a solid sheet of ice in and around Ephrata," said Ephrata School District Superintendent Jerry Simon. "The city did a great job of sanding the intersections but the conditions were not good. We were concerned about families and driving long distances so we decided to err on the safe side and close school today."

Simon says the district will choose either March 4 or May 6  to use as a make-up day.