Stonington — As he set out to inspect the parking lots and walkways at the town’s six schools this afternoon, Superintendent of Schools Van Riley said he tentatively expects the schools to reopen Thursday as planned.

The town has problems clearing the school lots after snow removal equipment broke down on Tuesday.

The town then requested help from the Connecticut National Guard which send personnel and massive backhoes and dump trucks from the 192nd Engineering Battalion to help clear the lots.

National Guard members were at Mystic Middle School and Deans Mill School early this morning working to clear the snow. About 2 p.m. this afternoon, much of the lots had been cleared.

Riley said it would take a few more days to totally clear all the lots and walkways of snow.