School districts say safety is top priority when deciding on closings

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

As people across the state prepare for snowfall this week, local school districts will make decisions about whether to cancel classes.

The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team is tracking snowfall across the state Monday and Tuesday, with the possibility of 8 inches in some northern Mid-Missouri counties. With such a wide margin of potential snowfall, school districts say student safety is the main factor when determining closures.

Columbia Public Schools

Columbia Public Schools spokesperson Michelle Baumstark said in a November email that the district will make efforts to publicize a cancellation or delayed start by 6 a.m. that day.

She said the district will send information through CPS' parent messaging system, notify radio and television stations and post the information on the district's website and CPS-TV. People can also download the CPS mobile app.

"Safety is the number one priority in every decision we make," Baumstark wrote. "The district covers 300 square miles with urban, rural and suburban roads and neighborhoods to consider.  We consider a multitude of factors when making a decision."

The school was yet to decide as of 4 p.m. Monday.

LINK: School closings and other cancellations

She goes on to say those factors include precipitation, temperature, wind chill, road conditions, road and ground temperatures, road types, forecast and timing and sunrise time. The district also coordinates with its grounds and facilities crews and the city and county.

Aside from cancellation, CPS can also implement a two-hour delayed start or early dismissal. Information for these options will also be shared using the same methods as a cancellation.

If school remains in session, Baumstark said parents can make the final decision regarding their child's attendance. If a parent believes the weather or road conditions are too dangerous for their child to go to school, that student's absence will be excused.

In the email, Baumstark said CPS has built in enough time into the school year to allow for six winter weather days without having to make them up. If more than six days are called off for weather, they will be made up by going to school on a planned day off or by exploring online options.

Jefferson City School District

Jefferson City School District spokesperson Ryan Burns said in an email that staff and families will be notified of changes to the school day through the district's mass communication platform via call, email and text message. Information will also be posted on the district's website and social media pages.

The Jefferson City School District website says it tries to make decisions on closings as early as possible, and it's not unusual for the district to have people out on the roads as early as 3 a.m. or 4 a.m.

As of 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday classes were still on.

Administrators will monitor the forecast and road conditions from local outlets and the National Weather Service, as well as stay in communication with the county and city. The district's director of transportation and workers at its contracted bus company, First Student, will begin driving key roads early in the morning. The director will then tell the superintendent their recommendation, followed by the superintendent's ultimate decision.

"The district covers a large area across much of Cole and Callaway counties, and conditions may vary across the footprint of our district depending on where inclement weather hits, the types of roads in different neighborhoods, etc," Burns said.

Along with considering cancellations, the district can also use late starts, early dismissal or snow routes.

Snow routes can be found on the district's website. It states times at bus stops can vary depending on road conditions, so students should be at the stop on time and dressed in warm clothing.

Potential late start times and more information about the district's policies can be found here.

Fulton Public Schools

Fulton Public Schools sent a message to families and staff Friday outlining its policies for school closures.

The message states that families will receive a phone call, text and email from the district to notify them of a school closure. The district will also notify local television stations and update its website and social media accounts with closure information.

Amanda Miles with the district's School and Community Programs office said in an email that the superintendent will be in communication with the Missouri Department of Transportation, county and city officials and other surrounding school districts when it comes to making a decision.

She said the district begins notifying families as soon as a decision is made, with the hope of having a decision before buses begin morning routes around 5:30 a.m.

"The decision is always determined by what is best for our students, their safety is our priority," Miles wrote.

The district also has snow routes for days when school will remain in session but some routes are not deemed safe. Its website notes these may be needed when crews can't turn around or travel on cul-de-sacs. The site says buses may be around 15 minutes early or late to any stop, so students should dress appropriately for wait times.

Snow routes can be found on the district's website.

If Fulton opts for early dismissal, families will receive an email and text message letting them know how early school will be getting out. The district's website and social media apps will also be updated. School buses will run at the early dismissal time.