New York Mayor Bill de Blasio defended the decision not to cancel classes for the city's 1.1 million public school students despite great opposition by parents and teachers. City schools Chancellor had announced on Wednesday night that public schools would remain open on Thursday during the storm. But field trips and after school activities were canceled later on Thursday. The city was expected to receive nearly a foot of snow.
At a news conference on Thursday afternoon, de Blasio defended his decision, largely since he looked "at it this from a number of different perspectives, including that of public school parents."
The city schools Chancellor also defended the decision.
"The reality is that we make decisions based on what we know at the time. Because this storm was so unpredictable, and what we heard last night is not necessarily what we saw this morning."
"It totally stopped snowing and has turned into an absolutely a beautiful out there right now," the chancellor said, despite evidence to the contrary.
In response, one Facebook message on CBS New York's web site wrote: I think I want to smoke whatever she is smoking. Does she realize what a complete fool she looks like for making that statement? There are cars stuck on parkways. People stuck on trains. Car accidents everywhere. But she thinks it's a beautiful day! Idiot."
Michael Mulgrew, who serves as the Union President of the United Federation of Teachers, disagreed with the mayor's and city's chancellor's assessment. "I understand the desire to keep schools open. The only thing that trumps that is safety. Having students, parents and staff traveling in these conditions was unwarranted. It was a mistake to open schools today."
Public Advocate Letitia James also weighed in on the decision to keep schools open.
"It is clear that a re-evaluation of the criteria for closing New York City schools is needed after today's storm. We must adjust the standards so that students, teachers, administrators, and parents are not put in harm's way. I am particularly concerned about the afternoon dismissal and the road conditions this evening. It is important that school absences are excused, and that city workers are excused for lateness connected to their commute," said James.
The "Today" show's Al Roker also ripped via Twitter Mayor De Blasio over the city's decision to keep schools open. "Why are schools all around NYC closed? It's going to take some kid or kids getting hurt before this goofball policy gets changed," read one Tweet.
Another of Roker's Tweets read: "Knew this am @NYCMayorsOffice @NYCSchools would close schools. Talk about a bad prediction. Long range DiBlasio forecast: 1 term."
"I respect Al Roker a lot, watched him on TV for many years," de Blasio said in response at the press conference. "It's a different thing to run a city than give the weather on TV."
Mr. Mayor, I could never run NYC, but I know when it's time to keep kids home from school," Roker tweeted back.
Also on Thursday morning, a pregnant woman was killed by a snow plow in Brooklyn. The victim's baby reportedly survived after being delivered by caesarian section at Maimonides Medical Center, Foxnews.com reported.
"Another round of snow is expected to hit New York late Thursday night. Flakes should begin falling on Gotham at about 11 p.m. and continue until 7 a.m. Friday, bringing between 3 to 7 inches of snow, according to AccuWeather forecasters," according to The New York Post.
