Montgomery Co. Schools Make Schedule Decision For Feb. 2

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — All Montgomery County Public Schools buildings will be closed on Monday, Feb. 2, as the county continues to dig out from last weekend storm that covered the region in snow and sleet.

Offices will open on time and staff should report as on a regular non-instructional day, the district said in a notice Sunday.

"All schools are ready and we want our students to come back … however, we are still closed to students," the district announcement said.

Snow and ice removal from this winter weather event has been slow, district officials said, with Monday the first day above freezing in nine days.

"MCPS crews have been working hard this past week and our facilities are ready to re-open. We know we will not have perfect conditions any time soon, but many streets and sidewalks are NOT passable for buses or safe for student walkers," the schools said. "Post-plowing snow piles are creating a safety hazard for our buses, creating poor visibility and blocking access to pass through and turn lanes. Many major roadways still have obstructions that have reduced lanes, making safe travel during peak traffic times difficult."

Why We Can’t Open Tomorrow:

1. Many neighborhood streets are too narrow and too icy for buses to travel safely. Many neighborhood streets are barely passable for a car and school buses are much wider.
2. Many sidewalks are impassable, forcing walkers to use busy roads instead of safe sidewalks. Approximately 20% of our students walk to school and do not have access to bus transportation.
3. Many of our students with disabilities require door-to-door transportation (as part of their legally mandated individualized education plan), which in some areas will not be possible due to some neighborhood street conditions.

Community use of school buildings may proceed as scheduled.

"Our goal is to open schools on Tuesday, but we need your help. Please help us by getting cars off the streets and sidewalks near you cleared," the district said. "This is a big job and will take all of us to get back to school as safely as possible."

How Residents Can Help:

• Remove your vehicle from the street to allow for widened plow paths and greater access for buses (and please encourage or help your neighbors to do so as well).
• Clear the sidewalk in front of your residence (and please encourage or help your neighbors to do so as well).
• Report streets and roadways that still require snow and ice removal to Montgomery County’s 311 service.

Additional weather-related information:

• For the latest snow operation status, visit the Winter Storm Information Portal.
• For the latest updates, follow Montgomery County Government on Facebook, Instagram, and on X.
• For information on cold weather, visit the County's winter weather website.

The County’s 311 call center will be open regular hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
Contact MC311 by calling 3-1-1 or 240-777-0311. Residents can also visit them online at MC311.com.