During winter, school operations can be affected by road and driving conditions, which may lead to delays or cancellations. But who ultimately decides and how is the final call made? Cancellations or delays are crucial decisions that administrators must carefully consider to prioritize student safety while also taking into account educational needs and community impact. The decision-making process typically starts with monitoring weather forecasts and road conditions. Superintendents and school officials often work together with local meteorologists, transportation departments, and public safety officials to gather accurate and up-to-date information.
The superintendent, as the top executive in a school district, is responsible for overseeing daily operations and long-term planning. Acting as the central figure for all district matters, the superintendent supervises school principals and district staff, collaborates with school board members, and manages fiscal operations. They make day-to-day decisions regarding educational programs, spending, staff, and facilities. Moreover, superintendents have the authority to decide when to delay or cancel school due to inclement weather.
Former Superintendent Dr. Chris Gaines shared insight into the decision-making process, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and utilizing various resources. Gaines described his routine of assessing road conditions by driving around the district early in the morning and coordinating with transportation and facilities directors. Communication with neighboring districts and county-wide conference calls are also crucial for sharing information and aligning decisions.
Utilizing resources such as National Weather Service forecasts and reports, superintendents aim to reach a consensus on school operations by around 5 a.m. in order to notify staff promptly. While decision-making can be challenging, especially during severe weather events, the priority remains ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff.
No two weather events are alike. When it comes to large geographic areas, the impact of these events can vary significantly from one region to another. Gaines, reflecting on a past experience in a different district, recalled a storm that blanketed the southern part of their district with 8 inches of snow in just one day. “Only one bus route was affected, so we decided to send those students home at lunch,” Gaines shared.
With school buses hitting the roads as early as 6:30 a.m., educational institutions typically stick to their initial decision of whether to keep schools open or closed, even if weather conditions deteriorate throughout the morning. The assumption is that by that time, most parents have already left for work, assuming that their child has been safely picked up for school. Hence, the usual practice is to transport students to school and then decide on the next course of action once everyone is accounted for and safe.
In the realm of private schools, the onus of making such critical decisions typically falls on the principal. On the other hand, charter schools, which operate based on parental choice, exercise their autonomy in determining whether to open or close during inclement weather. They may or may not align with the closures of nearby schools since charter schools are not restricted by traditional district boundaries. As a result, students attending charter schools could be residing anywhere, presenting a unique challenge when it comes to deciding on school closures due to adverse weather conditions. In most cases, these schools tend to follow the announcements made by the county authorities.
The overarching objective in all these decision-making processes is to prioritize the safety of both students and staff while striving to minimize disruptions to the educational journey. While the choices regarding school closures can be complex and sometimes met with controversy, they are always grounded in the best available data and with the overall well-being of the school community at heart.
