Knowing that there was a potential for fog on the Lower Shore this morning, Wicomico transportation staff began looking at conditions throughout Wicomico County at 4 a.m. At 5:15 a.m., when a decision had to be made on whether to delay the start of school, conditions were fairly clear throughout Wicomico, so no delay was recommended. (Had there been a delay, ParentLink calls to Wicomico school families would have been made around 5:30 a.m.) Buses were already on the road and some students and many staff were already on their way to school when the fog set in after 6 a.m. Based on the early morning weather conditions, there was no fog delay this morning for public schools in Wicomico, Worcester or Somerset.
Dear Mr. Fredericksen,
This morning you made a huge mistake and risked the lives of not only the children in Wicomico County but the drivers and teachers as well.
I know I can be quite vocal with Salisbury News but really, you can't be serious in your above message. The conditions had to be some of the worst I have ever seen here on the Shore, especially this year.
Obviously our Post this morning left quite an impact on your Office or you wouldn't have published the above information. That being said, shame on you and all of those involved in making such a horrible decision. (Stop watching WBOC and look out the window for once, they're not always right, you know)
Being that I am as vocal as I am, speaking for myself, of course, I do not believe your decision had nothing to do with today's testing. I think it had everything to do with it and again, the idea you even went public with such a statement seals my impression on this matter.
But hey, your in charge, right. Your accountable to no one, right. As we used to say in professional pool, "You Can't Beat Luck." Lucky no one was hurt today.
New Posts to fall below.
33 comments:
Funny thing is that my friends and I feel the same it is all about aiming at attempting the beat test scores and child safety isn't a concern. I prayed for my kids safety and sent them today, tomorrow if there is fog or bad weather they will be late. Actually that goes for future school days here on out.
My children have graduated. But they wouldn't have been out there this morning. I don't know where you were in the county but you need to look around. It was terrible. Even on Rt 13 you could not see the businesses from the road. I comend Delmar for not following the idiot.
My friends kid in Willards gets on his school bus a little after 6:00am. So if the fog got heavier around 6:00 am, how could they call a delay if the buses were already on the roads? Believe me, I am not taking anyone's side, it's just a question. I went to work at 7:30 and could barely see anything!! I can understand everyones concern!
I was out and about at 5:30am and the conditions actually were clear. I was surprised that when i went back outside at 7:00am how bad things had gotten. I understand a decision has to be made in time for a progression of events to take place, but there should be an "emergency" decision made even if the 5:15am deadline passes. We all know the weather is variable on the eastern shore so the plan that goes with it, needs to be flexible.
maybe they should discuss the process used by the other counties which did make the right decision? DUH
Just seems awfully strange that all these other school districts could put a fog delay in place but not us. Even WBOC said last night that there could be heavy fog this am. Go down any road with fields on both sides & you could barely see the front on your car.
This is just crazy! Just as crazy as the Board that put this liar back into his position for 4 more years! Number 1: I, as a parent have NEVER gotten a call at 5:30 for anything from the WCBOE Parentlink. Snow or fog or whatever its always been 6AM or after. Number 2: Talk to your colleagues in the area. Wicomico have a dome over it? We the only ones without fog? The surrounding districts made a decision, a wise decision not to RISK it. Why you Freddy? Why risk it? Number 3: Youre a power monger and an idiot! A mix that is dangerous to those around you. Reap what you sow Freddy! Some day you will. What was the Board thinking? Guess he's got something on all of you! How's that abstained vote working for ya??? Need an elected board and impeach the idiot! The only thing foggier than this morning is Freddy's warped brain.
I was outside with my dog this morning at 5:30, I couldn't see a full block down the street. I called the BOE this morning and was told they would "add my comments to the list" and that "it had nothing to do with the MSA testing", which was the expected response. Apparently they've had many calls about the idiotic decision not to delay schools. Regardless, if what I was told was correct and the buses don't start picking up until around 6am, they DID have time to call the bus drivers and start the "auto-dialing" to everyone's home, update the website, call all the news outlets, etc. They put too many lives in danger, not just the kids but the parents who drive their kids to school and teachers as well. Freddy, time to start putting our children first or is that something new to you? Wish we could put the Super on the ballot...I know who wouldn't be re-elected!
As a student who has taken the MSA in the past on a day that there should have been a fog delay I can guarantee you it had everything to do with that poor excuse of an "assessment"
Does Desmond Hughes make the decision for delays, closings etc.?
Those buses have radios that can be used to call them back. Wicomico is also a diverse county. It may not be bad in Salisbury, but the surrounding countryside can have very dense fog. Check all areas before making a bonehead decision. Delmar at least had the stones to put children's safety first.
Of course it was foggy at 5:30 this morning. Parents, save your breath. It is never his fault and there are four people who always believe that.
lack of leadership at BOE
Note that Worcester and Somerset were closed also. Apparently Worcester & Somerset saw no fog problem either. It turned out to be a bad call on the transportation service BUT with buses on the road what ould they do?
Note that Holly Grove in Somerset did not announce delay until 6:20. Holly Grove does not have buses on road as early as public schools.
i go to work at 7:30 in morning and i have lived here in salisbury for 50 years and i have never seen fog this bad that late in morning.
My child went to school this morning to Stephen Decatur High. He said the fog at 7:30 was really, really bad and living at the beach we are used to dealing with fog issues. I assumed that the BOE would err on the side of caution. Boy was I wrong! They are lucky that no one was seriously hurt.
Hey Desmond is a good guy leave him alone!
As an employee of this school system, I can believe its was all about the testing. Students are not the priority.
I leave for work at 4:30 am and the fog was thick as pea soup... Fredericksen is a LIAR!
I truly agree with everyone! The BOE only cares about “proficient” scores on the MSA!!! As another employee, the fog this morning was terrible and they are lucky no one was hurt. Besides, the test will probably not even be here next year!!!
State Police suggested that WCBOE have a delay.
It always amazes me when "Professional" educators fail so miserably at weather prognostication. Here's an idea do what I did buy a relatively inexpensive wireless weather system. After setting the system up you can very simply begin to use website info, historical data and local conditions to accurately predict the weather. This year was my year to do this very thing after many years of following the weather for business purposes that demanded accurate weather prediction or I could potentially cost me $$$$. Just this year I was able to predict most of the severe weather events including 7-10 day in advance predictions of the minor snow events we had. I'm not boasting I'm just saying use the common sense God gave you and stop using the favorite local weatherman's excuse when they start on the Shore "this is the hardest place in the country to predict weather" or "If you don't like the weather give it an hour it will change" excuses, excuses, excuses!! I'll trust some of your readers will try this it's amazing how easy it becomes. Want to save money at the Board of Ed? Report to Joe how much these unmerited errors cost taxpayers.By the way the skies are clear tonight think fog?
Testing results first safety and welfare of students second. This is a really good way to teach our students. No matter what money then safety. You go BOE!! Keep it up!!
So you are saying Fredericksen told Worcester and Somerset not to delay school so Wicomico could take their test? Somerset's decision could not have been based on testing as I believe they tested last week. At my house at 5:45 it was just a trace of fog but by 6:15 I was unable to see the homes across the street. I am sure the fog did not hit the shore full power in all areas all at one time - it never does. It is a shame some students are required to be on buses so early. Just think of all the parents who were not inconvenienced because of a school delay today. Last week's crisis over therapist being removed from school was a great inconvenience to parents. Perhaps the BOE read your complaints loud and clear.
I live in Mardela Springs and i got up at 4am and the fog was real bad ..Don't forget its still in wicomico..Open your eyes Fredericksen!!!!
Somerset County DID have MSA testing today .....
The transportation. DEPARTMENT Also had bus inspections they did not want to reschedule????????? What's more important!
If you really felt you child was in danger why didn't you keep them home. So if you did't keep your child home are you just as bad as Dr. F.
Get a grip people. Christ, a little fog or two flakes of snow and this entire city shuts down. If drivers permits weren't handed out as free gifts in cereal boxes and people would learn to drive... Gee, sorry. Guess it's hard to handle even the slightest amount of "inclement" weather when you've got you're $8.00 mocha poseur beverage in one one hand, your cell phone you're not supposed to be talking/texting on in the other and your knee on the steering wheel.
Salisbury MD. The only place I know of that you can use the excuse.."Sorry I'm late for work but there were dead chickens blocking the road..and it be true!
Quit being an idiot! It's only fog so just leave early, drive safe and nothing goes wrong. Guess what? There weren't any accidents this morning so the subtle threats and scare tactics don't work for me.
Knowing Johnny boy, he will turn around and approve a fog delay for tomorrow if there is any question. This is what he does. He tries to make himself look good after a total screw up.
All Maryland schools had MSA testing today for Reading.
Math MSA was last week.
When I called my child's school I was told there was testing and that it would just be way too much to reschedule. We will see what happens today but I was told don't expect a delay this morning either.
The safety of the children only come first if there isn't testing going on ...
Post a Comment