EASTHAMPTON, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) -- Major changes to school schedules on Tuesday as the winter weather continues to impact our region as three local school districts switching from delayed openings to a full snow day closure.

Easthampton Public Schools, Amherst Public Schools, and the Hampshire Regional School District all first announced a two-hour delay for Tuesday but later changed that and cancelled for the day.

Both Easthampton and Amherst cited staffing challenges as the primary reason for the closures, specifically pointing to a lack of bus drivers and ongoing transportation issues.

School officials say the combination of snowy roads mixed with a school bus driver shortage raised safety concerns they couldn’t overcome, even with the delayed start.

Easthampton School Superintendent Michelle Balch issued an announcement to families Tuesday morning in response to the closure, saying:

“Student safety is always our top priority, but we certainly note this is not the morning we had planned for myself included. Making these decisions is never easy, but when communication gaps arise it can make a challenging situation even harder. We recognize the impact this has on our families, and we are so grateful for your flexibility and understanding.”

Hampshire Regional School District also announced its closure that morning, though a specific reason was not mentioned.

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