EMSB schools evade closures

According to EMSB communications director Michael Cohen, none of the board's schools have been closed due to snow accumulation atop roofs. Last Thursday, he told the Westmount Examiner inspectors set out at 3 a.m. that morning to check the board's 65 facilities. While the buildings seemed to be in good shape, Cohen said the EMSB decided to relocate or postpone activities in open areas, like gymnasiums, as a precautionary measure. As a result, the multi-cultural celebration at Westmount High School had to be cancelled last Thursday and postponed to April.

Things have also gotten back on track at Roslyn School since large icicles hanging from the roof of the 100-year-old building forced the closure of a section of the schoolyard two weeks ago. According to Cohen, the board's maintenance crews removed the icicles on March 12, the same day it became apparent warmer temperatures could loosen them and cause them to fall.

Last week, the Lester B. Pearson School Board – which stretches between St. Lazare and Verdun – closed all of its elementary and high schools, centres, and offices following recommendations from its engineers, but have reopened this week. The Commission scolaire de Montréal also evacuated its schools and centres on March 14 as a precaution. Five of those facilities remained closed until this past Tuesday for snow removal on their roofs.

None of the boards' school closures affected any facilities in Westmount. "It's business as usual (at the EMSB)," said Cohen. "We're prepared for this. We have experts in the field who are prepared for it, and we expect it."