Snow, ice days

Icy roads meant school closings for Clarkston kids, last Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 10-11, as well as Tuesday this week, Jan. 17.
“We closely watch the weather forecasts, often speaking directly with the National Weather Service. When these are negative, we talk with neighboring superintendents, transportation directors and operations supervisors about their circumstances,” Superintendent Dr. Rod Rock said in an email.
Collen Mayes, director of transportation, and her team also travel some area roads to evaluate conditions.
These assessments ideally take place the night before a school closing, Rock said, but the timing of the snow and resulting conditions meant discussions for these snow days began around 3:45 a.m. the day of.
“We then had our local and regional discussions and decided that it was safest for us to cancel,” Rock said.
The official reason for the school closings Tuesday last week was the amassment and timing of the snow. On Wednesday, in addition to one of the buildings having no power, there were trees and limbs blocking several back roads and ice on many roads, especially intersections and subdivision entrances.

Locals re-elected

Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission voted, Jan. 11, to re-elect Gerald A. Fisher of Clarkson as chairman.
J. David VanderVeen from Clarkston was re-elected vice chairman. VanderVeen, director of Oakland County Central Services, serves as Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson’s representative on the commission.
All will serve in their roles through Dec. 31, 2017.
Robert E. Kostin of Clarkston also serves on the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission.

College fund workshop

Robert Hoger, certified college planning specialist with Michigan College Funding, will discuss how to increase eligibility for aid, and scholarships and grants at a free workshop on funding college education, 7-8:30 p.m., Jan. 24, at Clarkston High School.
Admission is free. Call 248-662-1300 to reserve seats.