Why Are Clawson Public Schools Open Today?

Clawson was just one of a handful of area districts to open school doors Wednesday morning—the others were Royal Oak, Berkley and Lamphere school districts. Southfield, Birmingham, Ferndale, Troy, Madison and Hazel Park districts were all closed.

So what criteria did Supt. Monique Beels use to determine whether or not to call a snow day?

Beels said she uses a variety of factors to evaluate whether conditions warrant closing school. First and foremost are weather and road conditions. She also consults with neighboring districts.

"I was on the phone early with other area superintendents," said Beels. "We all agreed the roads were drivable and there was no reason why kids shouldn't be in school learning today. It is important that students attend school everyday because what we do every day is hard work. Our learning is important."

Beels said she was at the schools by 7 a.m. making sure sidewalks and parking lots were cleared.

In neighboring Berkley, with only a couple inches of snow on the ground and 35 degree weather, Berkley School District Communications Supervisor Jessica Stilger said, "We felt it was safe for students to attend, and for learning to continue."

Conditions in southest Oakland County were more similar to those in Macomb County, where just about all of the schools were open, said Shawn Lewis-Lakin, superintendent of Royal Oak Schools.

"I am responsible for making a district decision for Royal Oak regarding whether conditions warrant closing our schools," he said. "However, we respect that parents always have the right and responsibility for determining whether their children can safely travel to school."