Transportation

The decision to close school or to let out early is not an easy one as it involves a multitude of factors all of which have to be weighed and decided upon in a short period of time.

 

Unit 40 has three personnel assigned to check roads on winter mornings between 3:00 and 5:45am. Keep in mind that Unit 40 covers over 127 square miles and weather conditions can vary. Also included in the decision to close are weather forecasts, reports from law enforcement agencies and reports from township road commissioners. The actual decision must be made by 6:00am to allow for notification of bus drivers, food preparation personnel and the media.

 

Every effort is made to make a good decision with student and staff safety as the main focus. However, even under the best of circumstances weather can and will change. The district will release children to go home early only if all indicators show a strong likelihood of the weather getting worse. It is important for guardians to have a plan established that ensures the safety of their students. Kids that are released early from school need to have a warm, safe place to go. They should have specific instructions from guardians about what to do and who to contact.  

 

The district asks that you not contact the schools or administrative offices to ask if school will be let out early or if it will be in session the next day. The schools have a minimal number of phone lines that need to remain open so that the media can be notified and that available emergency services can be contacted. The school handbook lists the various media services that will be notified of closings. Please keep this information at hand and check those resources for the latest information.