Weather Statement

As the winter weather makes its way into our area each season, don’t forget you can call our Snow Line for closing information. The snow line is a number you can call to check to see if our schools are open on a particular day. The Snow Line number is: 440-632-0261, option 9. The message on the line is usually updated by 6:15 a.m. if a closing has been issued.

Parents – if school has not been cancelled due to inclement weather, you can choose to keep your child home if you feel it is best. Please call them off to the respective building secretary, as usual, and we will excuse the absence.

For your  information, this is the process used when considering closing as there is not a policy or specific guidelines:

• Monitor weather reports and information.

• Beginning about 4:30 a.m., the Superintendent will contact the transportation supervisor/coordinator and our snow plowing service to check on road conditions in the event of snow.

• The Superintendent will also communicate with area Superintendents beginning at about 4:30 a.m. to monitor the conditions in their districts and to discuss to possibility of cancelling school. This communication is on-going throughout the morning.

• Typically, a final decision to cancel school or not is made by about 5:30 a.m.

• If there is a decision to cancel school, the Superintendent will begin the process of informing the community and staff. The local television and radio stations are informed and an Infinite Campus Emergency Messenger notification is sent to the staff and community.

The decision to cancel school is sometimes a difficult one for several reasons:

• Weather conditions are variable in different parts of the district because of our geographic size.

• The condition of the roads will factor into the decision. If the roads are clear, we will attend school. The condition of the roads is often predicated on when the storm hits and its level of intensity at certain times. For example, a storm that hits at 3:00 or 4:00 a.m. is a much greater challenge for road crews than one that hits the evening before at 11:00 p.m. or midnight.

• The temperature will factor into the decision. If the temperature is too severe, then a decision to cancel school without a great deal of snow may be made.

In addition, weather conditions will be monitored closely throughout the morning. If the severe weather is ending in a reasonable enough time for the roads to be cleared, school may not be cancelled. If the weather is supposed  to become more severe throughout the day, school may be cancelled, even if the snow is limited during that early morning time.

Of course, there are many other factors that go into this decision, thereby making it a challenging one. Cancelling school or staying open is sometimes a “no win” decision, but the final decision is made based on the best interest and safety of our students.

To see Geauga County road conditions click here

Be sure to also monitor local TV, radio, and cable outlets for closing information. Updates will also be posted on the District’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.