Seattle Schools will reopen Thursday on a two-hour delay with snow routes only.
It comes after most schools in the Puget Sound region remained closed Wednesday.
At a press conference midday Wednesday, city officials announced a "three-pronged approach" in an effort to get public schools back open. They call it "Operation Shared Shovel."
Mayor Jenny Durkan and Calvin Goings, Seattle's director of the Department of Finance and Administrative Services, said the city is doing what it can to help get children back into the classroom. Durkan says the city is asking the school district for a priority list of schools where they need crews to help clear a three-block radius.
"We have resources working around the clock but we're going to double down," Durkan said.
Though main roads throughout the city are mostly clear of the slush leftover from the snowstorm that hit the region earlier this week, many side streets and sidewalks remain slippery. The city is also asking residents to join the effort by clearing
Durkan says the city is also working with King County Metro in an effort to get additional bus service - especially for students who rely on them.
Though extra effort is being put into getting schools open, the city isn't in the clear. Durkan says we're "not through it 100 percent." It's important to note the decision to close schools is up to the district, not the city.
Warmer air has moved in, but freezing temperatures are expected again through at least Thursday morning. That can cause whatever is leftover on the streets and sidewalks to refreeze, making travel difficult.
Fred Podesta, chief operations officer with the Seattle school district, said too many sidewalks were iced over even on Wednesday, and the district has a high bar.
“Many kids and parents walk to school,” he said, elaborating that it wasn’t safe for regular class despite many roads being clear.