SCHOOL CLOSING INFORMATION
Wisconsin weather is not always predictable. Closing schools due to bad weather is a difficult decision under the best of circumstances. We understand that these decisions affect our families. It isn’t an easy decision for us, and we carefully reflect on many factors when deciding. It is our preference to stay open, whenever possible, to minimize the impact on our families. We respect the right of parents to decide to keep their children home should we decide to have school on a day when they do not feel safe. Parental discretion will always be considered by the Administration. The Superintendent makes the decision whether to close, after careful review of the weather report, consulting with our transportation department, the highway departments from the Village, counties and townships, and school districts in our surrounding area.
- If there is a high probability of extreme weather or other known circumstances, the decision may be made the day or night before and families will be notified at that time.
- If the weather is questionable, the decision may not be made until early morning. We will do our best to get this message sent to families by 6 a.m.
FACTORS CONSIDERED FOR SCHOOL CLOSING
The primary focus upon making a decision is based on the safety of children and our staff. If we feel it is safe to run, we will open normally, however, the following factors are what are used when making the decision:
- Forecasts, Severe Weather Timing and Duration of the Severity: We continually monitor the forecast from the National Weather Service out of Duluth, MN as well as our new Understory rooftop weather station.
- Temperature and Windchill: Windchill factor and sustained low temperatures are deemed hazardous. We consider this for both driving and building safety. Closing schools based solely on temperature is the most challenging criterion to use. Factors such as length of inclement weather, bus routes, availability of spare buses on an immediate basis, temperatures moderating through the day are all part of the decision to close school. It is also important to determine where and when temperatures would be taken. Our history in Webster is not to establish by School District policy a predetermined temperature for school closing. Administratively the “close school” decision would be triggered by a -35 F ambient temperature if there were little chance of moderation during the day. This decision would be made by 5:30 a.m.
- Transportation: We are a commuter school and try to include all families when decisions are made. If school is open and parents deem it not safe to drive their children to school, this is an excused absence. Families should still call the school to report the absence.
- Travel Conditions: Hazardous travel conditions (making it difficult for cars to travel safely; road conditions and visibility), both current and those projected become worsening in the hours ahead.
- School Operation Challenges: Facility needs are also considered. Roads, sidewalks and doors need to be open for emergency vehicle access if the building is occupied. School may also be closed or delayed due to dangerous non-winter weather, unforeseeable extenuating circumstances such as a power outage, broken water pipes, etc.
- Parental information: Parent cooperation is essential for any inclement weather condition. Children need to be dressed for the conditions. No school closing decision will be universally accepted. Issues of family schedules, daycare and a host of other problems are always created when a school closes with little notice to parents. Issues of student safety are paramount and this essentially lies in the parent’s decision making. A parent always reserves the right to keep their child home and this may be treated as an excused absence. Excessive absences will be handled with the school attendance policy. Parents will need to call in advance of keeping their students home for approval.
COMMUNICATIONS
Families will be notified as soon as the decision is made to allow them to make alternate plans and arrangements for their children. All school closing information will be communicated to families by our Skylert communication system, website and social media. Should inclement weather or other emergency situation(s) require the District to close school(s) or delay the start time, the following procedures shall be followed:
- Automated calls/email/SMS text will be placed to student families beginning as soon as practical using the District’s Emergency Notification system.
- Closing or delay information will be posted on the District Webpage and District social media sites beginning as soon as the decision is made.
- Local television and radio stations listed below will also be notified as soon as practical. Please check the following if you do not receive a phone call /email/SMS text.
- Please refrain from calling the school offices or stations directly to inquire about closings. Information will be reported as soon as possible via the stations listed above. Additional calls will only tie up the phone lines.
Below is a list of news and radio stations that are made aware of school closing information:
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