How is the decision made to delay or cancel school? This is never an easy decision. The number one concern is, of course, student safety. The problem is that no one can predict the weather accurately 100% of the time. During periods of bad weather the conditions are watched constantly. Weather reports on radio, TV and the Internet are checked, dozens of phone calls to surrounding areas are made, bus drivers in various sections of the county are consulted, and even CB calls to truckers traveling into the area are made. Most of this typically occurs anywhere from 3:00 am to 5:00 am in morning. All of this in preparation for the decision on rather school is to be open, closed or delayed. Remember, the weather conditions we see at 7:00am are often not the same as they were at 5:30am – when the decision must be made.
When is the decision made? This of course depends on the conditions. Whenever possible the decision is made the night before, and in time to have it broadcast prior to the late evening news. If bad weather occurs in the early morning the decision is made before 6:00am. This is in order to get the information to parents, bus drivers and school personnel prior to the start of the regular school day. However, in some cases, the conditions are such that a delay in opening may be the best choice.
Why do you use a two-hour delay? Sometimes the conditions and temperature predictions are such that they may improve during the early morning, and school can still go on. Our area has frequent light snows or ice in the early mornings. Many times the conditions in the valleys are not the same as on the tops of the ridges – and our buses travel all of these sections. A couple of hours wait permits the temperature to climb enough to clear up the roads so that safe travel is possible. This is a prediction that must be made prior to 6:00am. Being able to hold a final decision for two hours permits time to determine if the conditions will indeed improve. When a two-hour delay is called the final decision to have school or not is made by 8:00am and announcements sent out.
What if the road conditions are too bad in my section of the county – yet school is not cancelled? Bus drivers are given the option of not running certain sections of their routes. They know what sections of their route have the worst conditions. When this occurs every effort is made to contact parents who may be affected. Parents may also choose not to send their children if they are concerned about road conditions. State law does not permit us to count these students as present, however: if a bus does not run part of its route, or if the parent calls into the school and explains why the child is not there, the student will not be counted as absence in regard to attendance awards, the county attendance policy, or in being permitted to make up their school work.
What is the best way to find out if school is closed? Prior to 6:00am announcements go out to as many places as possible. This includes every radio and TV station in the surrounding area – all the way into Virginia, Maryland and Washington. Cancellation notices are put on the information line at the Board Office – 538-3248 ext 555. Information is also posted on the following websites www.hardycountyschools.com and www.cancellations.com. In addition to the above every school has a “call tree” to alert all employees. Even with all this sometime information does not get out. If you have problems getting school closing information in your area please contact the transportation department for additional suggestions.
Copyright 2002
Hardy County Board of
Education
510 Ashby Street
Moorefield, West Virginia 26836
(304) 530 2348