Guilford County Schools crews are actively working to deice school campuses following a winter storm that laid a thick layer of ice across the district, impacting parking lots, sidewalks, and bus drop-off zones. In response to the icy conditions, the district utilized over 120,000 pounds of salt and received an additional 80,000-pound supply from the North Carolina Department of Transportation to assist in their efforts.
Preparation for the winter weather began late last week, with crews starting their work on Friday and continuing through the weekend and into Monday. The timing of a scheduled teacher workday on Monday helped mitigate disruptions, allowing teams to concentrate on safety measures.
Mark Miller, the director of maintenance and operations for Guilford County Schools, highlighted the unique challenges posed by this storm due to persistent cold temperatures that hindered melting processes. “The challenging situation in this storm compared to others is that the night temperatures and the day temperatures getting above freezing have been extremely difficult,” Miller explained.
As of midday Tuesday, approximately 60% of deicing efforts had been completed across the district. A total of seven crews, consisting of both in-house teams and contracted services, were deployed to tackle the ice simultaneously. However, heavy equipment proved less effective, as the thick ice layers prevented plows and machinery from breaking through. “Pretty much none of the equipment is that effective because it just skims over the top of the ice,” Miller remarked.
The emergence of sunlight and temperatures rising above freezing on Tuesday significantly aided the melting process, especially in areas with more direct sun exposure. Nonetheless, shaded locations remained particularly challenging due to their limited sunlight and the substantial ice layer. Miller noted, “What we’ve noticed with this particular storm is the layering aspect—ice, then snow, then ice on top. That combination makes shaded areas our toughest spots.”
The shortage of salt further complicated the cleanup process. With the prior supply exhausted, the recent delivery of 80,000 pounds of salt was essential for continuing deicing operations. “Salt right now is more valuable than gold,” Miller commented.
As of Tuesday afternoon, deicing efforts had been conducted at around 16 school sites, with a focus on clearing bus parking lots, student drop-off areas, and main walkways. The district aims to finalize deicing work by the end of the day Tuesday, although some locations may still require additional attention into Wednesday morning, depending on the evolving weather conditions.
Despite the challenges, the hardworking crews remain dedicated to ensuring the safety of students and staff, demonstrating resilience in the face of tough winter weather.