Mount Baker cancels classes for Wednesday; other Whatcom County schools will decide early Wednesday

Mount Baker School District has canceled classes and after-school activities for Wednesday, Jan. 18, because of heavy snow on side roads and frigid temperatures.

"Side roads are very treacherous," interim Superintendent Karst Brandsma said Tuesday afternoon.

It was the only school district to make that decision Tuesday.

Representatives for other school districts said they'll wait until their crews are out early Wednesday morning and assessing Whatcom County roads before announcing - usually by 6 a.m. at the very latest - whether students will be staying home for the day, coming in later or starting school at the regular time.

"We certainly understand that it's easier for families to know as soon as possible," said Tanya Rowe, spokeswoman for Bellingham School District. "We just don't want to make a call and then have to reverse it."

Wednesday's closure would be the second snow day for the Mount Baker School District this week.

Brandsma said there was a lot of snow on the ground still as of Tuesday afternoon, noting the 17 inches at Kendall Elementary School, for example, with more expected to fall.

"It was a fairly easy decision," Brandsma said. "We made it early so that parents and staff can plan accordingly."

Brandsma said district crews also will need time on Wednesday to finish clearing snow from parking lots and sidewalks for the safety of students and staff.

Most Whatcom County public schools were closed Tuesday, Jan. 17, because overnight snowfall made driving on local roads hazardous. Many private schools were closed as well.

Western Washington University, Whatcom Community College and Bellingham Technical College didn't start classes until 10 a.m. Tuesday.