File: EBCD - EMERGENCY CLOSINGS File: EBCD - EMERGENCY CLOSINGSThe Superintendent may close the schools or dismiss them early in the event of hazardous weather or other emergencies that threaten the health or safety of students and personnel. While it may be prudent, under certain circumstances, to excuse all students from attending school, to delay the opening hour or to dismiss students early, the Superintendent has the responsibility to see that as much of the administrative, supervisory and operational activity is continued as maybe possible. Therefore, if conditions affect only a single school, only that school will be closed.
In making the decision to close schools, the Superintendent will consider many factors, including the following principal ones relating to the fundamental concern for the safety and health of the children:
1. Weather conditions, both existing and predicted.
2. Driving, traffic, and parking conditions affecting public and private transportation facilities.
3. Actual occurrence or imminent possibility of any emergency condition that would make the operation of schools difficult or dangerous.
4. Inability of teaching personnel to report for duty, which might result in inadequate supervision of students.
On occasion, weather conditions may clear or be predicted to clear enough for schools to open, but at a later time than our usual starting time. During such time, the opening of school may be delayed up to two hours. Buses will operate on the normal schedule but two hours later than the usually scheduled time. Schools will be dismissed at their usual time.
The delayed opening of school decision will be made no later than 6:00 a.m. with appropriate notification on radio stations, cable and the automated calling system.
On occasion, when weather conditions worsen during the day and are predicted to continue through the usual dismissal time, an early decision dismissal may be made up to ninety minutes prior to the usual closing time. Buses will operate on the normal schedule but ninety minutes earlier than usual. This decision will be made with appropriate notification on radio stations, cable and automated callling system. On such days, the afternoon session of kindergarten will be cancelled.
The Superintendent will weigh these factors and take action to close the schools only after consultation with public works and public safety authorities and with school officials from neighboring towns. Students, parents and staff will be informed early in each school year of the procedures that will be used to notify them in case of emergency closings.
Adopted April 25, 1996