USD announces bad weather plan

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

The safety of district students, parents, patrons and employees is of utmost concern to the USD 234 Board of Education, a statement issued last week by the district said.

To ensure that an informed decision is made about the school day when inclement weather is predicted, the district will set in motion a plan to test the safety of roads within district boundaries. Pending input from certain district personnel concerning the condition of the roads, the superintendent will evaluate the facts and formulate a plan of action.

If a decision to dismiss school is made, it will be announced at 6 a.m. via several media outlets in the region. If school is to be held, an announcement will not be made. Only school cancellations will be released via the media.

The local radio station, KMDO-AM and KOMB-FM, will be the district's initial outlet to release information. Other stations to be contacted include KOAM-TV and KKOW-FM in Pittsburg, KNEM-KNMO Radio in Nevada, Mo., and KSN-TV and KODE-TV in Joplin, Mo. The district website may also be accessed for updated school closing information at www.usd234.org.

Buses may run one hour late on some days. This information will be given at the same time, in the same fashion as school closings.

Buses may take students home early if a storm hits during the day. The radio stations will broadcast the information as soon as possible. Students may not have a chance to call parents before their bus has to leave.

The district advises that the decision to close school will not be made until 6 a.m. Phone calls to school officials before that time will not be helpful to the caller. Tuning to the local radio stations will be the quickest way to get the information, the statement said.

Building principals will have a system in place to notify all building employees in case of cancellation of the school day.