While North Allegheny students and staff experienced a weeklong closure recently due to the Winter Storm Fern and subzero temperatures, not everyone stayed home.
North Allegheny’s fields and grounds department, in conjunction with the custodial department, maintained a 24/7 schedule from Sunday, Jan. 25, through Friday, Jan. 30, with the crew continuing operations through the weekend, said Tyler Maghery, manager of the grounds and sports fields in the school district.
“With the amount of snow that fell, the North Allegheny Fields and Grounds Department handled snow pile removal and extensive cleanup at all district buildings with around-the-clock operations,” Maghery said.
During Winter Storm Fern, operations were conducted in two 12-hour shifts to ensure continuous coverage.
“Demonstrating exceptional commitment, several crew members remained on-site throughout the day and evening due to hazardous road conditions after their shifts,” Maghery said.
The North Allegheny fleet includes eight trucks equipped for districtwide snow operations. During the storm, its internal track loader was supplemented with three heavy-equipment rentals — two additional track loaders and a Cat 950 wheel loaderv — to efficiently relocate snow piles in designated areas.
The grounds crew is responsible for North Allegheny Intermediate High School, Carson and Ingomar middle schools, and five elementary buildings: Peebles, Hosack, Franklin, McKnight and Ingomar. Additionally, the team maintains the Transportation and Central Administration facilities, both located on Hillvue Lane, according to Maghery.
The custodial staff is responsible for the sidewalks and entrances at every building within the district.
“With safety our No. 1 goal, it was important to remove snow efficiently and strategically throughout the district to minimize disruptions for our students, staff and district visitors,” Maghery said.
The goal was to keep up with the majority of the snowfall as much as possible. He said they were worried that if they allowed the predicted 16 inches to fall, it would have been difficult to move that amount of snow.
“As the snow was falling, we would push it to specific areas and would use skid loaders and wheel loaders to relocate as needed,” Magherty said.
He appreciated the staff’s hard work.
“Their dedication to the district was evident in the long hours and tireless effort required to ensure all campuses remained safe and clear of snow and ice for students, staff and visitors,” Maghery said.
The subzero temperatures also posed a possible threat to facilities. Custodians focused on interior safety during the district’s weeklong closure from Jan. 26-30.
“The district’s infrastructure held up remarkably well during the winter storm. Thanks to the rigorous ‘freeze watch’ procedures we have in place, we did not have any issues with frozen pipes or mechanical failures,” said Brandon Chabola, North Allegheny’s director of facilities.
“Freeze watch” refers to occasions when temperatures drop below zero, and that’s when the district’s facilities department activates a protocol to protect buildings. Consistent temperatures of between 68 and 72 degrees is maintained and proper airflow is ensured by keeping classroom and cabinet doors open, Chabola said.
“Our custodial teams are on-site around the clock. While eight of our 12 buildings have standard third-shift coverage, we used overtime staff to monitor the remaining four. These teams conduct regular walkthroughs to check for abnormal water flow or cold spots, ensuring our facilities remain safe and functional,” Chabola said.
Elsewhere in the district, some students likely encountered inadequate space at bus stops and on sidewalks because of the buildup of snow.
Scott Mergen, North Allegheny director of transportation, offered a few tips, including advising students to wait in a safe location away from the roadway and remain clearly visible to approaching traffic and the bus driver.
When a designated bus stop is not fully accessible, students should choose the nearest safe and secure location to wait, Mergen said. Bus drivers are aware of weather-related conditions and watch carefully for students who might be standing slightly away from their usual stop locations, he said.
Neighbors are asked to help keep bus stop areas clear and accessible whenever possible.
McCandless police Chief Ryan Hawk reminded the community to drive with care, cautioning drivers to stop when approaching intersections and look multiple times in all directions to ensure it is safe to proceed.
“Drivers should also be extra vigilant watching for pedestrians to include students waiting for their school bus. The large piles of snow near intersections may conceal a child due to the piles being so high, and a child may not realize vehicle drivers cannot see them,” Hawk said.
Superintendent Brendan Hyland shared his gratitude for the facilities and transportation teams, as well as the entire North Allegheny staff, “for their tireless efforts during the winter storm.”
“By clearing our campuses around the clock and navigating challenging roads with the utmost care, they ensured our students and staff returned to school safely this week. Their commitment went above and beyond, and we are incredibly proud of their dedication,” he said.
