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The Superintendent is empowered to close the schools, to delay their opening, to dismiss students early, or to determine that a remote learning day is necessary in the event of hazardous weather or other immediate or ongoing emergencies which threaten the health or safety of students and personnel. These actions may be taken for an individual school, or may be implemented across the district, according to the nature of the emergency.

Announcements:  When the Superintendent decides it is necessary to delay opening or close any facility or school or cancel any school event, he/she will initiate all related communications to the public by radio, television, website, or other available means.

Delayed Opening of Schools:  The Superintendent may delay the opening of schools upon determining that weather conditions appear extremely hazardous to operate school buses at the regular early morning hours, but that travel conditions will appreciably improve later in the morning.  The public announcement will report the delayed opening, including the cancellation of morning kindergarten, if necessary.  Schools and offices shall close on the regular schedules. After-school activities and events will not be affected by a delayed opening.

Closing of Schools Only for the Entire Day:  When the Superintendent determines that weather or other conditions exist or will develop that would make it unwise to open one or more schools any time during the day, the announcement communicated to radio and television stations shall state that the school district is closed.  If school is closed for the entire day, all evening programs will be cancelled.

Afternoon and Evening Program Cancellations:  When schools are open to the end of the school day, but weather or other conditions deteriorate in the late afternoon, the Superintendent may decide to cancel afternoon and evening programs.  Schools and offices should plan and communicate alternate dates and times to hold programs or events.

Weekend Closings:  When weather or other conditions are predicted or develop that would make it hazardous to operate weekend programs or events, the Superintendent is responsible for decisions regarding cancellations and for notifying the appropriate media.

Students, parents, and staff shall be informed at the beginning of each school year of the procedures which shall be used to notify them in case of emergency closing, whether action is taken before or during school hours. When schools are closed for emergency reasons, staff members shall comply with Board policy in reporting for work. 

First Reading Coordination: 12/02/01 and 01/02/02

Second Reading and Approval BOSC: 01/14/02

2021 Revisions

First Reading (Policy Committee): 1/12/21

Second Reading and BOSC Approval: 1/25/21