Adopted 6-23-2010
899 INCLEMENT WEATHER AND EMERGENCY CLOSINGS
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to assure the development of plans and procedures to provide direction to students, parents, and employees when it is necessary to close because of inclement weather, the existence of a hazardous condition, or due to other emergencies.
II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
The executive director shall be responsible for the development of plans and procedures involving inclement weather and emergency closings. The executive director is empowered to make the final determination to close the education district schools or to implement other options in response to inclement weather or other emergency situations. The safety of students should be the primary concern in responding to inclement weather or an emergency situation.
III. OPTIONS
At his/her discretion, the superintendent may implement one or more of the following options in response to inclement weather or an emergency situation.
A. Preferred Options
1. Close all education district buildings (cancel school for the education district).
2. Cancel all or segments of pre-determined bus routes based on geographic areas while continuing to operate other bus routes.
3.
4.
Delay the start time of schools.
Delay operation of both the first tier and the second tier of the bus route system.
(Delay for all schools).
5. Delay the first tier of the bus route system (Delay all education district services by the first tier bus routes).
B. Other Options
1. Direct buses to travel on passable roads (plowed, cleared, salted, and sanded)
2. Implement an early dismissal of all education district schools.
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Adopted 6-23-2010
3. Any other action that the executive director deems appropriate to insure the safety of the education district’s students.
IV. CONSIDERATIONS AND FACTORS
In facing inclement weather or an emergency condition, the superintendent will consider the following factors when deciding which of the above options, if any, will be implemented:
A. Weather conditions; both existing and anticipated.
B.
C.
Driving and traffic conditions.
Recommendation and/or information provided by the bus contractor.
D. Recommendation and/or information provided by other relevant sources (police, county highway department, etc.).
E. Actual occurrence or imminent possibility of an emergency condition.
F. Actual occurrence or imminent possibility of a hazardous condition.
G. Actual occurrence or imminent possibility of any condition that may affect the health or safety of the student body.
H. The inability of teaching personnel to report for duty which may result in inadequate supervision of students.
I. Any other factors that the executive director deems relevant at the time a decision must be made.
V. NOTIFICATION OF PARENTS AND STAFF
Decisions to alter the normal operating procedures of the education district in response to inclement weather or an emergency situation should be made as early as possible. Immediately following such decision, local and regional radio and television stations will be notified and notice will be placed on the education district’s web site. The primary source of information for parents and staff regarding such decisions will be the local and regional radio and television stations.
VI.
BUS CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY
The bus contractor is responsible for the safe transportation of students. The bus contractor shall serve as the primary source of information regarding road and travel conditions to the executive director. It is the responsibility of the bus contractor to provide the executive director with timely and accurate assessments of weather and road conditions.
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Adopted 6-23-2010
VII. IMPASSABLE ROADS
In some situations, a bus driver may find a particular road(s) impassible or may encounter a hazard that does not allow for safe passage. In this situation, refer to District policy 799 – “Bus Travel on Public Roads”. Policy 799 specifically addresses this particular situation and provides direction as to acceptable courses of action.
VIII. TRANSPORATION SERVICES TO NON-DISTRICT SCHOOLS
Alterations made in the education district’s transportation services in response to inclement weather or an emergency situation will also apply to non-district schools who receive transportation services through the education district.
IX. DELEGATION OF RESPONSIBLITY
In the absence of the executive director, the business administrator is charged with the responsibility of making a final determination to close the education district schools or to implement other options in response to inclement weather or other emergency situations.
Responsibility passes to the curriculum administrator if neither the executive director nor the business administrator is available.
Legal References:
Cross References: Hiawatha Valley Education District Policy 799 (Bus Travel on Public Roads)
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