Traverse City Record-Eagle

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December 7, 2010

Slippery walk for school's staff

BY LINDSAY VANHULLE

lvanhulle@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — Slippery conditions at Traverse City East Middle School caused some staff members to slip and fall on their way into the building amid a lake-effect snow system.

At least one person, believed to work for the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District, had to be checked by medical personnel. TBAISD Superintendent Mike Hill could not be reached Monday afternoon for more information.

School was not canceled due to weather Monday for any of Traverse City Area Public Schools.

East Principal Cathy Meyer said she told administrators at the district’s central office about the slick conditions and a custodian continued to monitor it throughout the day.

“I was wondering why it was that slippery,” she said.

TCAPS staff members were OK and finished the school day, she said.

The district contracts with companies to plow the parking lots before school starts each day, and custodians are supposed to lay sand for traction, said Paul Soma, chief financial officer and operations executive director.

The contractor, S Basch & Son Inc., is new to the school this year. Soma said plowing was delayed Monday morning.

“I hope that’s not what led to this,” he said.

Steve Basch, the company’s owner, said he asked Soma if the school could put down more salt and sand after the lot was cleared. Surface conditions are slick now because the ground hasn’t frozen.

“It is so icy after you plow,” Basch said, adding that he began clearing the lot before school started. “It snowed so hard between 4 and 7 (a.m.).”

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