Sandy, climate change and schools

On Board Online • November 19, 2012

Thomas J. Nespeca
NYSSBA President

Hurricane Sandy swept through New York, leaving a trail of physical devastation, heartbreak and displaced lives in its wake. The storm flooded lower Manhattan and parts of Long Island, downed trees, cut off fuel supplies and left millions without power.

Last year, a similar catastrophe occurred upstate, when Tropical Storms Irene and Lee delivered a dramatic one-two punch that left schools flooded, roads unpassable and residents wondering where to turn next.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently commented that we are having a 100-year storm every two years. “It’s undeniable that the frequency of extreme weather conditions is up, and we’re going to have to learn from that, and that’s going to be the next chapter of this situation,” remarked the governor.

It is frightening to think that storms of this magnitude could occur on a regular basis.

Are our schools ready for that? Schools are essentially microcosms of larger society. We operate transportation systems and cafeterias, we require significant amounts of gas to run our buses and electricity to power our buildings, heat and cool our facilities, and illuminate our classrooms. We require network connections to communicate with parents, employees, students and the public through cell phones, websites and social media. Population centers typically hug rivers or the ocean, making us vulnerable to flooding.

NYSSBA recently asked state lawmakers to consider four items that could help school districts affected by Hurricane Sandy (see story on page 4). The list deals largely with maintaining cash flow after a catastrophic event. But that list only scratches the surface.

If the governor is correct, our state as a whole and each of our school districts must begin planning for more frequent – and possibly destructive – weather patterns. No matter where you stand on the issue of climate change, practical steps must be taken to ensure we are prepared for disasters. What kind of physical infrastructure changes should we make to prevent or avoid damage?  What kind of supply chain changes should we make to ensure a steady supply of fuel, food and power in our schools? What kind of network connectivity and computer hardware changes should we make to allow students to learn from remote locations – perhaps even scattered locations – if necessary? 

We can install backup generators, maintain emergency supplies of fuel, use cellular technology to maintain communications systems, but in the end, is it ever possible to plan fully for events of this magnitude?

It’s easy to ask questions. I’m not sure anyone has the answers. We need to learn from the experiences of our downstate members. Recovery takes many forms and requires us to think on our feet. On Long Island, administrators were driving various bus routes before reopening schools to be sure roads were clear and traffic lights were working.

Then again, every disaster is different. The only consistent thing is that we are always well-served when we do our best to plan for the worst, and then come together in times of need. We saw communities pull together after Tropical Storms Irene and Lee, and again after Hurricane Sandy. They embody the resiliency of the human spirit.

I have no doubt that the schools and communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy will come back stronger and smarter. In the meantime, my heart goes out to all of those affected by this tragedy. Know that you have the full support of your state association.