After erroneous reports on local TV and radio stations, some Baltimore County teachers reported to work yesterday even though classes were canceled for snow, school officials said.

Administrators sent word to local media Thursday afternoon that classes would be canceled and that office staff would be allowed to report to work two hours late. But some early broadcasts reported that teachers could arrive two hours late, said Doug Neilson, Baltimore County schools chief communications officer.

School officials scrambled to correct the information once they saw it on television, and TV broadcasts later in the evening were right, Neilson said. But the damage, evidently, was already done.

"We know a lot of people rely on TV and radio, but it became a confused mess," Neilson said. "We apologize for any confusion that may have taken place."

Neilson said he didn't know how many teachers came in, but didn't believe it was a widespread problem.

Cheryl Bost, vice president of the Teachers Association of Baltimore County, said teachers typically don't come to school on snow days because students have to make up those days. If teachers came in when students didn't, they would end up working more days in a year than their contract specifies, she said.

Bost, who teaches at Mars Estates Elementary, said her principal called her after the erroneous reports were broadcast to make sure she understood that she didn't have to come in. But not all principals called their teachers.

Some office staff members also were confused yesterday, Neilson said.

"Some people thought, 'I came in on time, do I get to leave two hours earlier?'" he said. "That doesn't work."

To prevent such problems in the future, Neilson suggested teachers, parents and school staff check the school system's Web site, www.bcps.org, which is updated as soon as administrators make decisions about school closings.