PINCKNEY, Mich. (WXYZ) — “I went to check my work this morning, there wasn’t anything there. I couldn’t check my grades or anything,” said Michael Vontom, a Pinckney High School student.
At first he didn’t realize he was not the only one.
Then his mom, who is also a teacher serving homebound students in Livingston County, got a call about school.
“I wasn’t expecting it to be an internet issue. My first thought was COVID, but okay, internet. We can deal with that,” said Helen Vontom.
“We got word of a significant fiber cut. It was a 212 fiber, which is extremely large that was severed and it created issues throughout the county,” said Rick Todd, Superintendent of Pinckney Community Schools.
Service was restored in some areas, but not for Pinckney Schools. Superintendent Rick Todd says he learned AT&T would not be able to fix the fiber for an estimated two to three days.
With all high schoolers and some K though 8 students learning virtually, the district closed schools.
“That leaves only about 40% of our students left in face to face, so given the severity of that we thought it was best to suspend all instruction today,” said Todd.
“If it had to be any day, today was the day. It tacks on to vacation, so that is nice,” said Helen.
Thanksgiving vacation starts Wednesday in Pinckney Schools.
Madison Vontom, who is a middle schooler in Pinckney, says she is enjoying the day off.
“It is nice because I get to have time to spend with family,” she said.
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