While it seems hard to think about snow right now, winter will be upon us sooner than we know it. School district staff take decisions to delay, close, or dismiss school due to inclement weather conditions very seriously. As with most decisions that affect literally thousands of people, it will impact individuals differently. You may be interested in knowing what goes into the decision.

The most important consideration in the decision is children's safety. Can we safely transport children to and from school - and at what point in time is it the safest? Many people and factors are involved. The process begins as early as 4:00 a.m. The manager of First Student and Superintendent Jon Bales confer about weather conditions with information from national and local weather services. County and municipal road crews are contacted to assess road conditions and the extent to which they will be safe to travel at the time students are to be transported. A professional driver travels a rural route and is consulted for their input as to the safety of travel on the road. If plows are able to have snow removed from the majority of bus routes, and there is no concern for high winds or a rate of snowfall that would prohibit keeping the roads clear, busses can operate safely. Few vehicles are safer than busses with professional drivers in winter driving conditions. If it is determined we cannot safely transport children to school, or cannot safely transport children home from school, then schools will be delayed, dismissed early, or closed. Our District policy is that the final decision to close or delay school will be made by 6:30 a.m.

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