JOHNSTOWN - Children are often excited when they hear that school has been delayed or canceled.

It gives them a chance to go back to bed for a few more hours.

But local school officials said they get up very early in the morning to make the call that affects thousands of families.

'When there's low temperatures, usually we try to go with a delay,” said Ed Bowser, superintendent of the Forest Hills School District in Sidman. “Snow accumulations, because of blowing winds and so forth, that triggers more of a cancellation because it’s tough for the road crews to get out and plow the roads."

But Bowser said Tuesday he doesn't make the decision alone.

"We're on our cellphones at 4:30 a.m.,” he said. “There's seven of us, part of the consortium with Greater Johnstown Vo-Tech. If four schools decide to cancel, then we all cancel."

McIlwain School Bus Lines, of Johnstown, provides services to seven schools around the region. When severe weather hits, it's much more difficult to get the buses up and running.

"Maintenance is done routinely on the buses. Some additives are put in the diesel fuel to make them easier to start them and for them to run" said supervisor Joe Brett.

It's never an easy decision when you're trying to balance safety and education.

"I’ll always err on the side of caution, because I want to make sure the kids get here," Bowser said.

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