The Superintendent is empowered to close the District Schools, delay the opening, or to dismiss students early in the event of hazardous conditions, including weather, which threaten the safety of students.

In making the decision to close schools, either the Superintendent or his/her designee shall consider many factors, including the following:

1)     The availability of  parent(s)/guardians(s) to  receive the student at  home in the event schools should be dismissed early.

2)       The health and safety of students remaining in a school environment.

3)       Weather conditions, both existing and predicted.

4)       Driving and traffic conditions affecting public and private transportation facilities.

5)      Continuance or discontinuance of the operations of business,commercial and professional people in the area.

Facts will be assembled from the appropriate agencies and organizations before any decisions are made. For example, the Highway Department, Police Department, Weather Bureau, transportation companies and other governmental agencies, as needed, will be called.

Following the decision, communications will begin via the automated telephone message system to the students and staff. Either the Superintendent or his/her designee shall notify the public media. Employees should listen to broadcasts beginning at 6 a.m. Any employee who is doubtful about reporting should contact his/her immediate supervisor.

Utility Outages

Operating a school building without electricity or water violates Commissioner's Regulation

155.7, "Health and Safety in Existing Educational Facilities." Included in this Regulation, among others, are the following items:

1)       Inoperative mechanical systems resulting in inadequate ventilation.

2)       Bathrooms lacking lights (electricity) or water (water main breaks).

3)       Classrooms lacking lights.

 4)      Dark corridors darkening after emergency lighting becomes weak.

5)      Non-functioning sprinkler systems due to lack of water.

6)       Smoke and fire control systems, including fire alarms, losing battery power.

Instances  of  school  closings  for  power  outages  should  be  reported  to  the  State  Education

Department  (SED)  through  the  District  Superintendent  as  required  by Commissioner's  Regulation

155.17(h) for the School Safety Plan (School Emergency Management Plan).

Exception:    Short-term  outages  of  a determinative  length  and  in consultation  with SED  Facilities

Planning may not necessitate school closing.

Delayed School Plan

When it appears likely that weather and/or street conditions will improve later in the morning, a

"delayed school opening" announcement may be made to the public.

"A"Schedule (One hour delay in all school starting times):

All schools will begin one (1) hour later than normal starting times and dismiss at regular time. "B" Schedule (Two hour delay in all school starting times):

All schools will begin two (2) hours later than normal starting times and dismiss at regular time.

Early Dismissal School Plan

When a sudden,unanticipated emergency condition, including weather alert, arises after school has commenced,and it is deemed appropriate to close schools and offices, the following actions will be followed:

1)     The media will be called and the public will be informed of the decision, by an automated telephone message system.

2)      Schools will be dismissed with dismissal time arranged to parallel the arrival of buses. No staff member may leave his/her assignment until all students have left the building (unless authorized to do so by the Principal).

 3)       Elementary students can be released to the custody of their parent(s)/guardian(s)or another designated adult.