Today, I’m speaking out against Golden Valley’s decision to require attendance even on the foggiest days.

This isn’t about students being lazy or not caring about school. It’s about safety. On heavy fog days, visibility is low, roads are dangerous, and accidents are more likely. Many students rely on buses, carpools, or parents driving long distances. Forcing attendance in unsafe conditions puts students, families, and staff at risk.

It feels like the reason behind this decision isn’t education—it’s money tied to attendance. But students should never be treated like numbers or dollar signs. No amount of funding is worth risking a life.

Schools are meant to protect students, not pressure them to show up no matter the conditions. Learning cannot happen if students are scared, stressed, or unsafe just trying to get to campus.

We are not asking Golden Valley to stop caring about education. We are asking it to care more about its students. Safety should always come first. Foggy days should be handled with flexibility, understanding, and responsibility.

We deserve policies that put kids over cash and safety over funding. Golden Valley can do better—and it should.