Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Editor, Times-Union:
I’m writing to express my disapproval and disappointment of the many delays and specifically closings this winter.
I’ve been a permanent resident since 1991 in the Wawasee school district. Over the past years we’ve had much worse snow, ice and cold issues than this morning, February 23, 2026.
I realize safety of students and staff is paramount but these kids need to be in school! E learning and other online schooling is not an acceptable substitute for in school learning. Also, the teaching of our students that if the weather is “bad”, they don’t go to school and … it’s not preparing students for adult life and the responsibility of showing up to work. I also understand the increased legal aspects and grumpy parents who cry if there is an inch of snow, but our school corporation has a responsibility not only to students and families but to property taxpayers like me. I expect bang for my buck and this increased number of school delays and closings is getting ridiculous.
Frequent absences due to weather-related closures and or delays can disrupt routines, reduce motivation and create a sense of aimlessness in students. Missing school impacts academic performance in reading, writing and arithmetic. This loss of structure can lead to decreased motivation. I’ve discussed this issue with multiple Wawasee teachers and they do not agree with these multiple delays and closings either.
Years ago (early 2010-11), I drove my son 5 miles by snowmobile multiple times on snow covered Armstrong Road and N 750 E to North Webster Elementary School as school did not close nor was there a delay. Busses still arrived at all Wawasee schools, yes maybe 10-15 minutes late, but the students had a full day of in-school learning. Bus drivers need to drive slower and be conscious of slippery roads. Unfortunately, accidents do occur even on dry roads in the spring, late summer and fall months of the school year.
I don’t expect for the school corporation to never close or delay but this year it’s getting ridiculous. Let’s see the Wawasee School Corporation step up, talk to all bus drivers of slowing down on some of these snowy days and get the kids to school, when they get there, safely for in school learning.
Robert A. Ragland
Leesburg, via email
