Making the Call: How CCSD Decides Whether to Close School
The determination of whether to close schools for
inclement weather is a complex process, with the
ultimate desired outcome of what is best for
students and their safety. The final decision is
made by the Superintendent of Schools, based upon
detailed recommendations from staff who are working
closely with public safety agencies, city and county governments
and the county’s Emergency Management
Agency in the days and hours leading up to a predicted
weather event. This coordination starts 48-72 hours
ahead of the anticipated arrival of bad weather.
The Weather Forecast
As we are all aware, weather forecasting is an inexact
science. Weather patterns change quickly; decisions are
made more difficult when temperatures are just at or
around freezing, and a degree or two in temperature
change can make the difference between normal, wet
conditions and slick, snowy/icy roads. Staff participate in
weather conference calls and agency meetings with other
departments to compile as much accurate information as
possible in order to put together the best plan of response.
In some cases, the weather forecast is just not firm
enough to make a decision on school closing the night
prior, and staff must make further assessments throughout
the night, delaying a recommendation until the very
early morning.
Road Conditions
Cherokee County covers more than 430 square miles
with elevations rising to over 2,200 feet. Road conditions
can be vastly different in various parts of the county; so it
is not safe to assume that, because roads are good in one
neighborhood or one geographic area, all the roads
throughout the county are safe.
CCSD school buses travel more than 26,000 miles
daily running 2,000 routes. It is essential that these buses
be able to travel safely with their precious cargo; so, how
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the weather is affecting road conditions is a priority
concern. In addition, CCSD high schools have thousands
of students who drive themselves to school, and road
conditions should be safe for our most inexperienced
drivers to get behind the wheel.
As CCSD staff check roads in inclement weather, they
are also sharing information on road conditions with
public safety agencies who also have vehicles out checking
roadways and responding to emergency calls. This shared
information is factored into the decision-making process.
Temperatures
While extreme cold is rare in Georgia, it can and does
occur. Dangerously cold temperatures, made worse by
wind chill factors, are a serious threat to children waiting
at bus stops or those who have to walk a distance to and
from a bus stop. Very low temperatures can also affect the
function of diesel-engine school buses, which are used to
transport a majority of CCSD students.
Notification
In the event of inclement weather closing (or any
school emergency), parents will be notified by text, email
and/or phone via CCSD’s notification system. Email
addresses and phone numbers for calls and for texts must
be current in our Student Information System (Aspen), so
parents are asked to verify this information at the start of
each school year. Emergency notifications are also posted
immediately on the CCSD website, as well as on social
media (Facebook and Twitter).
Digital Learning Days
CCSD also has the option of declaring a Digital Learning
Day as opposed to total closure. This means that
students are expected to complete work and participate in
any available online instruction that day, working remotely.
Any CCSD weather closure announcement will include
specific information about whether it’s still a “school day,”
and what those expectations are for students.