When the announcement came in the form of an email on Wednesday that officials in the Vicksburg Warren School District had decided to cancel classes again on Thursday, a collective gasp was heard in our office, mostly coming from parents who have children in schools in the district.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” some said. “Why? The roads look fine.”

Apparently, that’s not the case for all county roads, school officials said.

Chad Shealy, superintendent, said district leaders have been in regular contact with Warren County Emergency Management officials about the weather and the decision was made because the temperature was not expected to rise until Wednesday afternoon and roads would remain icy and dangerous on Thursday morning.

“The safety of all students and staff is extremely important to us,” Shealy said.

Despite Wednesday’s bright sunshine, temperatures didn’t reach above freezing and dipped back down into the teens overnight.

Today’s high temperature, forecast to reach near 40, will feel downright balmy compared to the last couple of days. While the majority of roads were free of ice on Wednesday, some roads in the county and city remained dangerous for drivers and their passengers.

Vicksburg area school children have been living the dream. They are enjoying three unexpected vacation days, which the VWSD school board policy said they wouldn’t have to make up pending a vote. On the other hand, most parents aren’t so thrilled.

While prolonged school closings are frustrating for parents who need life to return to its normal routine quickly, we understand and are thankful the school district makes decisions with an abundance of caution.

We would want and expect nothing less. Let’s hope the temperature and precipitation of the last couple of days here was the worst for us this winter and we’ll be basking in the sun and Mississippi’s typical warm temperatures before we know it.