GRAND RAPIDS, MI The first winter storm of the season has forced several West Michigan schools to close Tuesday, Nov. 18, with decreased visibility from heavy snow and strong winds making travel unsafe.
Related: Bundle up: Wind chill dips below 0 in Grand Rapids, gusty winds to persist overnight
School districts across West Michigan are closed, including Grand Rapids, Forest Hills, Rockford, Kentwood, Zeeland, Hudsonville, Jenison and Coopersville.
Local colleges and universities have also shut down, including Grand Valley State University and Grand Rapids Community College.
"The road conditions are horrendous," said Jenison Superintendent Tom TenBrink. "The amount of snow on our side streets, blowing winds, and the threat of more snow forced us to close."
John Helmholdt, communications director for Grand Rapids Public Schools, said after assessing the weather and road conditions, district leaders came to the same conclusion.
A winter storm warning remains in effect for most of West Michigan, including Grand Rapids, until 9 p.m. Tuesday. Road conditions and sustained wind chills factor into the decision to close schools.
Schools are allowed the equivalent of six days of canceled classes without financial penalty, according to the Michigan Department of Education. Once systems exceed six snow days they are required to make up the days missed. Last year, several districts had to make up classes in June.
Ottawa County superintendents look to close schools when there's a sustained wind chill of -15 degrees, and Kent County leaders have general guidelines for recommending closure during a sustained wind chill of -30 degrees but closed last year with less than that.
See a full list of school closings, at WZZM-13. Here are just a few more:
Granville Public Schools
Allendale Public Schools
West Ottawa Public Schools
Comstock Park Public Schools
Kenowa Hills Public Schools
Lowell Public Schools
Catholic Central High School
West Catholic High School
River City Scholars
Monica Scott is the Grand Rapids K-12 education writer. Email her at mscott2@mlive.com and follow her on Twitter @MScottGR or Facebook
Source: http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2014/11/winter_storm_forces_grand_rapi.html
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