![\"A](\"https:\/\/canada-info.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Paul-Ash-Dec-13-21-500x375.jpg\")
SSRCE Executive Director Paul Ash. Photo by Ed Halverson.<\/p><\/div>\n
When weather is expected, Ash says transportation coordinators from across Nova Scotia begin conferring around 4:30 in the morning.<\/p>\n
They speak with representatives from the provincial public works department and compare notes on road conditions before presenting that information and advising their respective executive directors around 5:15 a.m.<\/p>\n
Ash says it\u2019s important students attend school as much as possible and not just for their education.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re very mindful of the impact of any cancellation on families. I know that that may make the difference for a particular family in terms of their income if they\u2019re unable to get to work that day,\u201d said Ash. \u201cThat\u2019s the other side of the coin which makes it extremely difficult around these decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Depending on the severity of the snow or ice storm it can take days for road crews to clear less travelled roads.<\/p>\n
Ash says on those days the region will move to a back road closure plan when students need to get themselves to a main road to catch their bus to school.<\/p>\n
He says the fact attendance has remained high throughout this school year speaks to the importance parents and students place on their education.<\/p>\n
Ash says people will always criticize a decision to close schools but he would rather err on the side of keeping students safe.<\/p>\n