School Closings & Delays Procedures
Our district staff understands that our decision to open or close schools, offer a two-hour delayed start, or resort to an early release in bad weather has a big effect on families. Also, we understand that our students are better served by being in school. As always, our top priority is the safety of our students.
HOW DO WE MAKE OUR DECISION?
When bad weather affects the area, we make the decision to open/close schools or modify the school day schedule based upon a careful analysis of all relevant factors, such as:
- Information on road conditions from transportation staff and from local law enforcements and road crews; We must give careful consideration to the most dangerous roads in the district; they can be treacherous, even if your road looks clear.
- Amount of accumulated snow and ice;
- Whether precipitation is expected to continue throughout the day;
- Temperature and wind chill (wind chills at or below -15 degrees F during key walking and waiting-for-bus times are given special consideration);
- Impact on our transportation fleet (school bus diesel fuel begins to gel at an ambient temperature of zero degrees);
- Weather predictions;
- Storm timing;
- Building conditions (such as whether there is electricity and heat);
- Parking lot conditions;
- What other area school districts are doing.
WHO MAKES THE DECISION?
The Superintendent of Schools is responsible for the final decision, based upon the factors and recommendations from the Transportation Supervisor. We cover a large area. Weather and road conditions may be fine in one portion of the district, but not in another. In such instances we must close school or modify the school day for the entire district.
WHEN IS THE DECISION MADE?
We strive to make the decision to close by 5:30 a.m. or earlier so that we can notify radio and TV stations. Keep in mind that unusual weather conditions may force us to make the decision after this time. Stay tuned to the stations listed below for updates to the closings.
TV – Channel 2, 7, 22, and 45. (Channel 7 typically is the earliest)
Radio –WING/AM 1410, WMUB/FM 88.5, WYSO/FM 91.3, WGTZ/92.9, WRNB/FM 92.1, WDHT/FM 102.9, WHIO/AM 1290
Other Stations – WONE, WMMX, WBZI, LITE 100, WCHO
WILL WE CLOSE SCHOOL IF CONDITIONS WORSEN?
If conditions worsen during the school day, we may need to have an early dismissal, but we will give as much notice as possible through the previously mentioned means.
Although our staff does our absolute best in this process, we know that often no perfect decision exists. If you do not feel that it is safe for your child to get to school, use your best judgment as to whether or not he or she should attend. Also, please discourage teenagers from driving in bad conditions and offer them alternatives as weather conditions worsen.
We hope that this explanation helps everyone understand the process that our district staff uses to make the best possible decision for all in our district.