Bad Weather Options & Procedures

When there is a possibility of bad weather or an electrical outage, please pay close attention to the radio and TV announcements to check whether Amherst is closed or on a two-hour delay. If a two-hour delay is in effect, school will begin two hours later than the normal start times. This allows time for work crews to clear the streets and parking lots or the weather to improve without counting as a calamity day on the school calendar. During a two-hour delay, buses will run two hours later than normal.

Sometimes a two-hour delay may be announced, but because conditions have not improved as expected, the schools may close. Be sure to check back with the radio, TV, or Internet for updates throughout the morning.

How do we make our decision?
We make the decision to close or delay school in bad weather based on a careful analysis of all relevant factors, including:

• Amount of snow and ice accumulation.
• Lack of electricity or heat in buildings.
• Temperature and wind chill. Some of our students walk to school, and some must wait outside for the bus.
• Weather predictions. We prefer not making our decision based on weather predictions, which are not always accurate, but sometimes this is unavoidable.
• Decision of neighboring districts. We also share information with other local districts and check whether they are opening or closing.
• Information on road conditions from transportation staff and other local officials. We must give careful consideration to the most dangerous roads in the district. Although one street or road looks clear, travel elsewhere in the district may be dangerous. Also, we must consider that some high school students drive to school.

Who makes the decision?
The superintendent of schools makes the final decision based on the above factors.

How is the public notified?
Closings and delays are communicated through Twitter, Facebook, and the district website. A district-wide "all-call" will also be made using the district calling system. In addition, school closings can be accessed through Cleveland television stations or websites. Local radio stations WEOL 930 AM and WOBL 1320 AM also have closing information.

When is the decision made?
The decision must be made by approximately 6:00 a.m. or earlier so we can notify radio, TV stations, and staff.

Can the decision to stay open be reversed?
Once we make the decision to open the schools, many parents rely on our decision and leave for work. If we then send students right back home, many will return to unsupervised bus stops and empty houses. If conditions get worse during the school day, we may need to have an early dismissal. Each building has a process in place to deal with early dismissal scenarios.

Although we do our absolute best in this process, we know that often no perfect decision exists. If you do not feel that it is safe for your child to attend school, use your best judgment on whether he or she should attend.

We hope that this explanation helps everyone understand the process that we use to make the best possible decision for everyone in our district.