WINTER STORM PROCEDURE
2012-2013
PHASE I - CANCELLATION OF SCHOOL IN THE MORNING
Blizzards are the most dramatic and perilous of all winter storms, characterized by low
temperatures and strong winds bearing large amounts of snow which are whipped in
such great quantities that at times visibility is only a few yards.
Blizzards are one of our most serious potential dangers to the safety of our school
children. With the distances that school buses have to travel it is conceivable a bus
could begin its route in relatively clear weather and yet be caught in a severe blizzard
before its route is ended.
I.
II.
No rules, regulations, or guidelines will supplant the use of
common sense by a responsible driver in any or all emergency
situations. The driver shall, to the best of his/her abilities, be
prepared to meet his/her responsibility for the safety and welfare
of the passengers on his/her bus under any situation that may
arise.
The superintendent or his designated representative (or a building
principal in the event that Mr. Wilson is not available) shall make the
final decision during the threat of a blizzard concerning the
convening or dismissal of school and the operation of school buses.
The decision shall be made with:
A. The weather bureau at Goodland
B. Building Principals
C. Patrons who live in various localities in the district.
III.
When the decision is made that USD #466 WILL NOT have
school or school will be dismissed early because of bad weather,
the following radio and TV stations will be notified:
Radio
KBGU 96.3 FM
KJIL 99.1 FM, KHYM 103.9 FM
KDC K 95.5 FM, KGNO 1370 AM
KSKL 94.5 FM
KBUF 1030 AM, KIUL AM KFLA
KSKZ 99.9 FM, KYBD 98.1 FM
KANZ 91.1 FM
Television
KSNG #11
KBSD #6
KUPK #13
USD #466 HOT LINE – 872-7615
BUS DISPATCHER – 872-7650
Every effort will be made to have the announcements about school closings on the air by 6am
WINTER STORM PROCEDURE – 2012-2013 - PAGE 2
PHASE II - WHEN WEATHER APPROACHES BLIZZARD CONDITIONS
WHILE SCHOOL IS IN SESSION OR NEAR THE TIME SCHOOL IS
DISMISSED FOR THE DAY.
A.
The superintendent or his representative shall make the decision
whether school will be dismissed and the children sent home.
B.
If there is any doubt early in our minds whether safety precautions
should be invoked, we will always decide in favor of the children’s
safety.
a.
It is very doubtful that children who live in town will ever be kept
at school, but this could very well be the situation for rural
students and rural attendance centers in the event of a fast moving
blizzard.
b.
In the event the children are sent home on buses, the dispatcher
shall keep in contact with the bus drivers until all children are
delivered safely to their homes.
1.
2.
3.
C.
No bus driver shall leave a child unless a parent or
guardian is home.
Students may be left with a neighbor if the parents are
notified. (Standing consent should be on file with the
building principals. Consent forms filled out at
enrollment)
In the event it is not possible to follow (1) and (2), then
students may be returned to the school to be housed.
In the event it is decided to keep the children at the school building,
principals shall notify all parents of the situation by telephone (when
possible); radio and television stations will also be contacted to notify
parents of the situation and the safety of their children.
Mr. Wilson
Superintendent of Schools
Scott County