Bedford Central Schools to Open Tomorrow, K-L Still on Track for Thursday

The sighs of relief are almost audible in town.

With the majority of bus routes clear and power restored to most district buildings, all schools in Bedford except for West Patent Elementary School will open for classes on Wednesday.

"There is still a possibility that West Patent will be open but we wanted to notify families now about the rest of the district," said Jere Hochman, superintendent of schools, in a statement released by the district. "One phase of electrical power going into West Patent is still not up and we are hopeful ConEdison will be able to sort out the issue today.We will keep West Patent families informed with more information tonight or Wednesday morning."

Sporting events that were scheduled for Monday and Tuesday are being rescheduled for Wednesday and the rest of the week as athletes enter sectional competition and other events.

"Our priority is to get kids back in school but we must do it safely—and for that we need power, clear roads and communications in the schools," Hochman told Patch.

Though power was restored to most buildings yesterday, over 30 roads were impassable. By Tuesday afternoon that number was reduced to 17.

Hochman said school personnel would be reaching out to families for whom bus transportation would not be available. In addition, the high school guidance office had been communicating with seniors who were trying to file college applications by Tuesday's early admissions deadline.

"For these seniors, it's another level of anxiety and we have been reaching out to colleges to communicate the circumstances of the storm," said Hochman. "They've been really understanding, and in some cases are extending deadlines.

Bus routes are still "highly compromised" in Lewisboro, according to Paul Kreutzer, Katonah-Lewisboro superintendent of schools. "Entire bus routes have been made impassable," he told Patch.

Katonah Elementary school is the only school with power, he said prior to a conference call with NYSEG officials Tuesday afternoon. If John Jay High School were to receive power tomorrow and schools were still closed, the school could be opened as a warming center and made available for showers.

Kreutzer said he would have more information on Wednesday and be able to make a decsion then on when schools could reopen.