How do school districts decide to close schools based on weather?

Mid-Missouri is expecting snow Wednesday night through Thursday afternoon, but the Columbia Public School District had not canceled classes as of noon Wednesday.

Michelle Baumstark, community relations director for the Columbia Public School District, said once the roads are tested, administrators will decide if school will be canceled or delayed for two hours. She said radio and television stations and parents will be notified by 6 a.m. Thursday if school is canceled.

Marci Minor, head of communications for the Hallsville School District, said the director of transportation and the superintendent will check out road and weather conditions by driving around the area, around 4 or 5 a.m. Thursday through weather advisories. She said they also keep in contact with other school districts to see what they are doing.

Minor said it’s hard to determine whether school needs to be canceled the night before because the weather could change.

Minor said most of the students in the Hallsville School District live on rural roads, so administrators have to be more cautious when deciding to keep the schools open.

Columbia, Hallsville and Fulton school districts have a mass communications application that can notify parents via phone, text and email. The school districts also use social media and the school’s website to let parents know if school is canceled.

Baumstark said parents have the final decision regarding a child’s attendance. If the parents or guardians think it’s unsafe to travel, the schools will excuse the absences.