EMERGENCY CLOSINGS
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Weather conditions throughout the
district are not uniform. Some rural roads may be impassable while city
streets are clear. In some cases, it may be feasible to close one or two
small schools because of weather conditions while keeping other schools
open. However, if district attendance falls below 75%, the day is
not counted for state aid purposes and must be made up by the entire
district. The decision to close shall be based on the best
information on conditions in the district and if neighboring districts
determine that they will close, it does not follow that our district
schools will also close. School closings shall be announced over
radio stations WHFB-FM (99.9) and WSJM-AM (1400).
Factors that determine the need for school
closings include:
- The intensity of the storm over a short
period of time;
- The intensity of the wind creating a
harsh wind-chill that ranges near or below zero;
- An expectation that the storm's
intensity may not subside during the hours school is in session;
- The actual condition of the roads
prohibiting the safe transport of students on school buses;
- Severe ice conditions; and/or
- An expectation that county and municipal
road crews will not be able to maintain or have not plowed roads so that
safe travel by bus can be expected.
Procedures for assessing weather conditions
and making announcements:
- The Group Director of Operations and Facilities shall
evaluate all information and notify the Superintendent with a
recommendation.
- The Superintendent or designee shall evaluate all
reports and make a decision by 5:30 a.m. and inform the media.
- If closings occur, the radio announcements shall
serve as official notification to all students, district employees, and
private and parochial schools for which the district provides
transportation.
- Principals shall advise students, parents and staff
to listen to the local radio stations for official announcements
concerning closings. (Calls to the radio stations or to school officials
are to be discouraged.)
- It should be understood that if road or weather
conditions become extreme after the normal 5:30 a.m. announcement time,
it may be necessary to cancel school after the bus runs have commenced.
If this is done, drivers shall be notified by radio insofar as possible
and students who have been delivered to the schools shall be returned to
their drop-off points. This decision shall be made by the Superintendent
and the radio stations shall be informed.
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