After an initial plan to start two hours late, Kent School District officials decided there would be no school on Monday, Jan. 13, due to continued inclement weather and unsafe road conditions.
“The safety of our students and staff is our first priority,” the district posted on Facebook at about 8:45 a.m. The district at about 6 a.m. had posted a two-hour delay plan.
School district officials look at weather impacts across the entire area to decide whether to open late or close.
“It’s also complicated by the fact that our district covers 72 square miles of diverse terrain,” according to the district’s closure policy on its website. “In one part of the district, the roads may be perfectly clear while others are struggling with snow and/or ice.
“Making a decision about weather-related school closures is always difficult because so many different situations have to be considered. We do our very best to balance the many interests at stake, but we recognize that no matter what decision we make, it will not please everyone.”
Parks Department cancels programs
The city of Kent Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department cancelled all recreation programs, classes, league games and practices for Monday, Jan. 13, due to unpredictable inclement weather and unsafe road conditions.
“With our inclement weather policy and the Kent School District’s closure for today, all after-school programs and late night activities are canceled,” according to a city Parks Facebook post. “The Teen Center will also be closed for the day.”
The Kent Commons and Senior Center will remain open for rentals and drop-in use unless weather conditions change significantly. Senior Center hours are 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Kent Commons hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Weather forecast
A winter weather advisory is in effect until 10 p.m. Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
• WHAT…Snow showers. Additional light accumulations of less than 1 inch.
• WHERE…Bellevue and vicinity, including Mill Creek, Kenmore, Kirkland, and Issaquah, East Puget Sound Lowlands from Snohomish County to Pierce County, including Arlington, Gold Bar, Duvall, Snoqualmie, Buckley, and Eatonville, Everett and vicinity, including Stanwood, Marysville, and Mountlake Terrace and Seattle and vicinity, including Shoreline, Vashon Island, Mercer Island, White Center, Kent and Algona.
• WHEN…Until 10 p.m. Monday
• IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions.
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