By By MICHAEL C. GUILMETTE JR. / Niles Daily Star
NILES – A snow squall blowing into the Niles area after 6 a.m. forced school officials to close the Niles and Brandywine schools early today.
"This is the first time I remember this happening since I have been in Niles," Doug Law, superintendent for Niles Community Schools, said about the sudden snowfall.
Niles schools were closed at about 6:40 a.m., and Brandywine schools were closed at 6:45 a.m.
Law said school buses had begun picking students up, but the snowfall quickly created whiteout conditions, forcing buses to pull off to the side of the road.
Gary Rider, superintendent for Brandywine Community Schools, was also surprised by the snowfall.
"The squall came out of nowhere," Rider said. "We were keeping an eye on the [weather] radar, but this just developed."
Law said he had been in contact with Rider concerning the snow, and both superintendents decided the most prudent course of action was to close the schools.
"We decided it was too dangerous to have the buses on the road," Law said. He added the schools always try to decide what is the safest option for the students, and although he admitted canceling school later than normal creates problems for parents who then need to make arrangements, he felt keeping the students home was the best option.
He also said the schools prefer to cancel school by 6 a.m. in order to let families know, but these efforts were hampered by the late snowfall.
City road crews were also caught off guard by the squall.
"We're going right back at it like we're starting all over again," Niles Street Department Superintendent Kenny King said. He said the normal shift for the road crews is 8 p.m. to about 4:30 a.m., but the late blast of snow required him to recall his staff.
"It's kind of a tough situation," King said. "We got back out on the roads as soon as we get in and get our equipment checked out."
He added the extra work since Sunday has been taxing his workers, saying the road crews worked 14 hours on Sunday.
Niles City Chief of Police Richard Huff said his department is not currently taking extra precautions due to the snowfall, but he recommended anyone who does not need to be on the roads should stay home.
"We operate no matter what the weather is," Huff said.
Several businesses in the area also closed because of the snow. Both Berrien and Cass counties are under a snow advisory until 1 a.m. Wednesday.
Rider said Brandywine school officials will assess the situation throughout the day before deciding whether to change the school schedule for tomorrow, although Brandywine's basketball game against Bridgman has been canceled. Jim Knoll, principal for Niles High School, said the Niles district is still planning a half-day for Wednesday, and the high school is on a "Gold/Even" schedule.