With all of the wintry weather so far this season, local schools have already accumulated several snow days. Superintendent Mark Platt of Hart Public Schools and Superintendent Mark Olmstead of Shelby Public Schools weighed in on this matter with the following helpful information.
As of Jan. 29, Hart Public Schools has had a total of nine days of cancelled classes. And as of Feb. 2, Shelby Public Schools has had a total of seven days of school cancelled.
When asked how schools decide when to call off, both superintendents shared similar protocols. “Decisions about whether to hold school during winter weather are based on several key factors, including temperature, snowfall, wind and road conditions. We closely monitor National Weather Service information and rely on firsthand reports. Our transportation coordinator is on the roads early, checking known problem areas along district bus routes. These decisions are never easy, but when conditions exceed the limits of what is reasonably safe for West Michigan winter travel, we prioritize student and staff safety and cancel classes,” Olmstead said.
“I mainly work with our transportation director and look at multiple forecasts. The superintendents communicate with each other as well and with the WSESD,” Platt added.
While snow days can be fun and break up the monotony of winter, the fact of the matter is that after a certain number of days, some lost time will need to be made up.
Olmstead relayed, “If the district exceeds the allowable number of snow days, Shelby would most likely need to add school days beyond the current scheduled last day of school, Friday, June 5.”
“The state has rules and options for us to follow. We (Hart) will apply for a waiver of three additional days, so basically we’d go from six (allowed) days to nine days. After that we add to the end of the school year,” Platt said.
Obviously the decision whether to cancel school due to weather comes with important considerations and creates certain consequences, but it is one school districts take very seriously.
In the case where school is open after a snow day, but students can’t get to school, some parents worry about truancy. Platt said, “We simply want people to make safe choices on days where we run, but maybe their road hasn't been plowed yet. The district tries hard to work with families in these situations.”
Most cancelled or postponed events are in the process of being rescheduled. It is recommended families and students visit their school's building or athletic websites, district apps or respective Facebook pages for updated dates and times.
As far as regular academics, each district and individual teacher will have their own procedures for what will need to be required following a weather cancellation. Parents are urged to stay in touch with their children’s teachers via each district’s student portal systems so they can experience success despite missed time in school.
