Why Does Wayne-Highland School Always Have a Snow Day?

I get this question a lot.

Since we broadcast out of Walton on WDLA-AM I have to read the school closings for that part of the world.  One of the perennials is always Wayne-Highlands School District which is in Northeastern Pennsylvania along the New York border.  Our radio stations actually beam into this area so we announce their closings as a courtesy to them.

But why do they always seem to be the first to close their schools?

The Wayne-Highlands school district is based in Honesdale, Pennsylvania and covers more than 435-square miles of rural beauty and treacherous road conditions in the winter.  In fact the school district is one of the largest (in area) in the northeast.  It is roughly the size of one third of Rhode Island.  For a single school district!

I was in that school district a while back and took a ride around.  The small towns are quite beautiful and nothing really describes Pennsylvania's scenic beauty like the W-H School District does.  The town names include Bethany, Stourbridge, Damascus, Scott, Cherry Ridge, Berlin, Dyberry and Honesdale.  According to the latest census the population for this vast district is only about 20,000 people.

As I found myself driving around the W-H district I kept thinking of all the times I announced their schools were closed over the past winters.  And now I see that it made sense.  The hills are steeps, the curves are severe, the flat open areas are perfect for blinding snow bursts and the students are few and far between.  It is stunning countryside.  And perfect for a snow day.

So there you have it.  To the majority of my listeners, I want to assure you that yes, there really is a Wayne-Highlands School District.  I have been there!  And to all kids who really do NOT like going to school all that much?  Well, tell your parents there is a nice piece of property for sale in Honesdale that they ought to see!  LOL!