Winter Weather Forces Third Week of School Closures in Central Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. — Winter weather has disrupted school schedules across Central Virginia for the third consecutive week, forcing districts to switch from delayed starts to full closures Wednesday morning. Families were notified of the changes between 7 and 8:45 a.m., sparking mixed reactions from parents.

LaCienega Boulebardez expressed frustration on CBS 6‘s Facebook page, stating, “This is causing us parents a delay in getting to work on time. They knew this was going to be the case last night, yet making sudden changes this morning is inconveniencing us even more.” Meanwhile, Stephanie Mathena supported the decision, citing icy road conditions she encountered Tuesday night. Bernitta Young praised the districts for prioritizing safety, saying, “That’s why we choose people to be in charge so they can make those decisions. Everyone will not agree all the time!”

Richmond Superintendent Jason Kamras explained the decision-making process, emphasizing the dangers posed by icy side streets, particularly in Southside neighborhoods. “This one was a very close call,” Kamras said. “Announcements made the morning of school are extremely difficult, and I did not make this one lightly. I take full responsibility for it and deeply apologize for any inconvenience it caused our families.”

Henrico County shared pre-dawn photos of icy roads on social media, highlighting unsafe conditions for buses and pedestrians. Chesterfield County officials reported similar concerns, particularly in southern areas, and noted that decisions were made in collaboration with law enforcement, VDOT, and county officials. A spokesperson for Chesterfield schools said, “Careful consideration is taken when a decision is made to alter any aspect of our schedule. Unfortunately, weather forecasts are not necessarily 100% accurate—and weather can be unpredictable and change at inconvenient times.”

Hanover County, which covers over 400 square miles, faced additional challenges due to its size and interconnected programs. A spokesperson explained, “One of the biggest considerations is the interconnectivity of many of our programs and transportation, where students travel across the division from their home school to other schools.” The district has already adjusted its calendar due to earlier closures and will assess the impact of Wednesday’s closure in the coming days.

Despite the disruptions, Chesterfield schools noted that the additional day off will not require calendar changes, as their current schedule exceeds Virginia’s required instructional hours. School leaders across the region emphasized that safety remains their top priority, even as they acknowledge the inconvenience caused by last-minute decisions.