MARYVILLE, Tenn. — As school districts across East Tennessee decide whether to delay or cancel classes Friday due to severe weather sweeping through the area, one factor in that decision is the safety of students who ride the bus to school.
Joe Pinkerton is the director of transportation for Maryville City Schools and said the district consults a team of people and considers the safety of all students.
"It's always a decision that's crossed through the city, through the schools, through transportation. Whoever's involved in that decision, we try to bring in and make a good decision," Pinkerton said.
Road conditions, road closures, flooding and debris on the road are all factors they take into account. But driving a high profile vehicle, such as a school bus which can measure up to 11 feet tall, brings challenges with winds.
"With the straight-line winds, we're looking at the surface area," Pinkerton said. "The school bus has more surface area than anything, other than probably an 18-wheeler, on the road. "
Pinkerton also said the school trusts the experts, the bus drivers and the contractors themselves. That includes Michael Duignan, the school bus manager at Rocky Top Bus Lines.
"Our number one priority is getting the kids to and from school safely," Duignan said.
Pinkerton said one guideline they consider when deciding whether to cancel class is whether straight-line winds reach 30 miles an hour, or 70 miles an hour for wind gusts. Bus drivers also make sure to take extra precautions during severe weather.
"The bus sways a little in the wind," Duignan said. "We have a lot of safe drivers. If you take your time and drive slow, it's really not that big of a deal."