Despite a major storm the week before, schools in Saugerties all opened on time and with no major problems, principals reported at the Board of Education meeting Tuesday, September 13.
The storm did close a number of roads, necessitating a change in bus routes and schedules, Superintendent Seth Turner reported, but schools were able to open smoothly and parents have been very cooperative.
Mount Marion was hit hard by the storm, and on the staff conference day Thursday, August 25 the hamlet was without electric power, said principal Lawrence Mautone. The teachers met at the high school, he said. Power was restored at about 3:30 p.m. that day.
School Superintendent Seth Turner said Saugerties highway superintendent Bernie Ellsworth had been very helpful in getting transportation working and Fred Costello helped to facilitate communication with Central Hudson to move quickly to restore power to the community. “It wasn’t the issues with the school, but that’s what led to not only the Mount Marion School but also that community getting addressed sooner rather than later.” The response was not just for the school but for the Mount Marion community, Turner said, and “once they realized what was going on with the Mount Marion community, they had the trucks there within a day and that’s what led to our getting the power back on Thursday.”
The restoration of power was a cooperative effort that included the town, the county, the school district, Turner said. (County Executive) Mike Hein’s office has been involved, and it has gone up to the state level as well.”
None of the schools was damaged by the storm, Turner said, but buses had to be rerouted around closed roads.
Flooded roads caused schools to close Thursday, September 8, Turner said, adding that as far as he is aware, this was the first time schools had to use an emergency closing day – generally put into the schedule to compensate for snow related school closings – during the first week of school.
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