POLICY

It is the policy of the Board to maintain normal operations on all regular school days, except when actual or anticipated severe weather conditions or other circumstances which pose a threat to the health or safety of the students and staff and which are beyond the control of the school may prevent this. The Superintendent or his/her designee may close or dismiss school(s) in such circumstances, subject to the Rules and Regulations below.

The Superintendent or his/her designee also shall develop and maintain a plan for communication of a school closing so that the general public and all employees will be properly notified and instructed. This may include use of local media, where appropriate.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

Inclement Weather

1. Description: Inclement weather generally involves severe storms, high winds, extreme temperatures, substantial snowfall, and/or icing conditions and poses a threat to the health and safety of students and staff.

2. School Closing Considerations: Factors to be considered in determining whether to close school or implement an early dismissal due to weather conditions include, but are not limited to:

A. Current local weather conditions and forecasts;

B. Whether travel advisories have been issued encouraging individuals to limit travel due to severe weather conditions;

C. The ability to maintain passable access routes to and from schools;

D. The time of day severe weather is anticipated;

E. The ability to coordinate the safe transport of students to or from school.

Tornado Watches or Warnings

In the event of a tornado watch or a tornado warning, students and staff are to remain in school following the safety procedures developed by each school for this specific purpose. Students will be sent home only upon direction of the Civil Defense authorities.

Communicable Infectious Disease

1. Health Pandemic: A pandemic involves a worldwide outbreak of a virus for which there is little or no natural immunity and no vaccine; it spreads quickly to people who have not been previously exposed to the new virus. In the case of a health pandemic, any decision for an emergency school closing of one or more attendance centers will be made by the Superintendent in consultation with District’s Lead Nurse and, if necessary, at the direction of the District’s local health department, emergency management agencies, and Regional Office of Education.

2. Other Communicable Disease: Upon recommendation of the multidisciplinary team which has assessed the risks of transmission of a contagious infectious disease in the school setting, the Superintendent may close one or more attendance centers impacted by the disease. The Lead Nurse, the Chief Academic Officer, and the impacted building principal(s) must be consulted in the decision making process.

Other Emergencies

Whenever possible, the Superintendent will consult with the Chief Operations Officer and the Executive Director of Campus Relations, Operations, Staff and Student Safety before closing one or more attendance centers in response to an emergency not otherwise specifically addressed herein.

Notification of School Closing Procedures

Parents and employees annually shall be advised of the means by which school closings or early dismissals are announced by the District.