Moon Area School District opts to open on time despite cold

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Over 400 schools in the region were delayed or closed Thursday, but the Moon Area School District wasn’t among them.

The school district decided to operate on time because forecasts indicated “no meaningful warmup until late morning,” with temperatures predicted to be colder after a delay than at the normal start time.

Several parents contacted Channel 11 News and took to social media to express their concerns about their children being out in the bitter cold at the bus stops Thursday morning.

“There’s no way I was letting them stand and wait for the bus – and seems like the well-being and safety of students isn’t No. 1 with the district,” wrote one parent on Facebook.

The district’s superintendent, Curt Baker, explained why he made the decision not to delay classes.

“The temperature was forecast to actually decline further even though it was really cold,” said Baker.

Across most of the Channel 11 viewing area, the temperature was a steady zero degrees Thursday morning.

“It makes no sense to open late: Roads are clear, buses running fine, boilers working all night long, buildings are warm; no reason for a delay,” said Baker.

Many parents and people in the community that Channel 11 spoke with supported his decision.

“I think it's great Moon decided to stay open. The roads are fine; they're completely fine. Yeah, it's really cold, but bundle up your kids. Education is important – got to put it first,” said Krystal McCoy.

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