UPDATE H-H Plans to Reopen Schools Thursday

It's still up in the air if all of the schools in the Hatboro-Horsham School District will have power Thursday morning.

As of Wednesday evening five had power - Hatboro-Horsham High School, Keith Valley Middle School, Simmons, Crooked Billet and Blair Mill elementary schools - and at a minimum those buildings will be open Thursday and all employees would need to report to work, Superintendent Curtis Griffin told Patch.

Daycare would resume at normal times at those buildings, Griffin said. 

Power has also been restored to the district's administration building, he said. 

"It’s our understanding that the other two buildings may go online this evening," Griffin said of Hallowell and Pennypack elementary schools. As of 9:45 p.m., the buildings' power had not been restored and Griffin said those schools would not open on Thursday.

Griffin said he did not have a timetable for when power would be completely restored. 

"That’s in the hands of PECO," he said just after 7 p.m. Wednesday. "I’ll know when they tell me or when the lights come on."

With Hallowell and Pennypack lacking power, he said the district would have a "partial opening of school tomorrow."

Even with not all of the district's schools are able to open on Thursday, Griffin said it would not impact the school year, or when students break for summer vacation.

"Those schools that are closed will not be required to make up those days," Griffin said. 

Parents have voiced concerns about roadways still closed following Hurricane Sandy and bus stops that are inaccessible. Griffin said he is aware that "There will be some challenges" and said the district would work through them.

"It will not run smoothly," he said, adding that officials drove through Hatboro and Horsham to "get a clear understanding" of hazards still present in terms of roadway obstructions, downed wires and non-functioning traffic lights. 

For parents concerned about sending their children to school, Griffin said Thursday would be an excused absence for students unable to attend "for whatever reason."