Quite a time of year...

Snow is once again falling as I sit in my office and look out at the mountains. It is a harsh time of year for many animals—and for school superintendents.

Have I piqued your curiosity? Let me explain myself with four words: delay, cancellation, early dismissal. The unpredictable weather of this season leads to a flurry of phone calls between areas superintendents as we weigh the pros and cons of adjusting the school schedule.

The process used to make a snow event decision involves checking weather forecasts from multiple sources, making back-and-forth phone calls to neighboring superintendents, and even traversing the district’s rural roads. I rely heavily on my transportation coordinator’s assessment of road conditions, how much snow/ice has fallen, how long plows have been out, what township/county supervisors have to say, and input from the district’s bus contractor. Once I receive that information I consult with other area superintendents to come to consensus about a possible delay or cancellation; while it does not have to be an “all or none” decision, weather conditions are often similar among adjacent school districts.

I try to make the decision for a delayed start before 5:30 a.m.; I try to announce a cancellation no later than 7:30 a.m. An early dismissal is a decision based on projected weather and the possibility that deteriorating conditions (visibility, drifting or accumulating snow, etc.) will render buses unable to deliver students to their homes safely and at a reasonable time. We try to make that decision around noon. All such decisions are relayed to all district parents, staff, and drivers via our Global Connect system.

I realize that my decisions about weather-related schedule changes will not please everyone. However, when it comes to our children, student safety is a far greater priority than convenience! I have worked to make district policies, decisions and programs transparent to parents, staff and community members; with this in mind, it should be evident that decisions to delay, cancel or dismiss early from school are based on the best interest of our students. As always, my phone, door and email system remain open and available for any concerns, issues or suggestions.

In the meantime, keep gas in your snow blower and ATV, have your shovel at the ready until that first sighting of a robin. Stay safe and warm.

(I can’t write a blog without referencing football – but my superstitious nature makes me stay low-key as the Big Event draws near. Suffice to say that, right now, my favorite song is “Stairway to Seven – I mean Heaven!!”)

Dr. D.