Tahoma schools will remain closed Friday

The school district announced Thursday, schools would remain closed due to weather conditions.

Much of the snow and ice still remains on roads in Maple Valley, along with fallen branches and storm debris.

Because of this, the Tahoma School District announced Thursday afternoon schools would remain closed tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 15.

These safety factors and travel challenges for staff led to this decision, according to a post on the district’s Facebook.

“We are working diligently to get our schools back open as soon as possible,” Superintendent Tony Giurado said in a press release from the district. “Student and staff safety, however, is the number one factor guiding our decision making.”

The press release also stated there is a large volume of snow and ice on the roof at Summit Trail Middle School that is slowly starting to slide off the roof in large chunks, which creates a safety hazard.

There are also a significant number of teacher and support staff who would have trouble getting to work because their neighborhood streets remain hazardous, the release continued.

While schools will be closed, the Extended Enrichment Program will open at 8 a.m. at Lake Wilderness Elementary School and Central Services Center will be open as well, a press release from the district said.

Midwinter break will continue as planned next week and school will resume on Monday, Feb. 25.

For more information on school closures in the district, visit www.tahomasd.us/.

A walking route near Rock Creek Elementary School. Photo pulled from Tahoma School District website

A walking route near Rock Creek Elementary School. Photo pulled from Tahoma School District website