Inclement Weather Plans
Dear Glenwood Community School District Parents/Guardians:
We have been blessed with a very mild fall. However, winter appears to be right around the corner. In the spirit of keeping everyone warm and safe, we would like to encourage you to read the following concerning inclement weather and how we make decisions.
The Glenwood Community School District’s bus drivers have had an excellent safety record and always try to reduce any ever-present risk due to weather and road conditions. Buses are equipped with radio equipment, communications are maintained with City, County, and State road crews, buses are kept in top maintenance condition, and drivers are experienced with driving conditions of the area.
Regardless of all we do to reduce risk, it does not guarantee that a bus will not stall or get stuck. Parents and students can reduce risk by dressing students warmly to remain comfortable in any situation.
In the Glenwood Community School District, there are a few days that the weather will not allow us to run buses and have school. Generally, if we can run buses, we will have school. Occasionally we may have a late start, perhaps two hours late, to allow crews to clear roads, sidewalks, parking lots, and access areas.
The transportation system of the Glenwood Community School District involves three levels of responsibility as to whether a child should attend school on a bad weather day. These levels are the school administration and transportation director, the bus driver, and the parents.
LEVEL ONE
On days when weather and road conditions may be unfavorable, the transportation supervisor and administration personnel are up before 5:00 a.m. to listen to weather forecasts, check out road conditions firsthand, communicate with City, County, and State road officials and receive calls from certain people from various areas in the district. The transportation supervisor will communicate with the superintendent of schools or his designee, and a decision will be made.
If a decision is made to call off school or have a late start or early dismissal, that information will be on area radio, television stations, and the district’s school messenger as early as possible, generally by 6:00 a.m.
Please note although the radio and TV stations listed below may not be your favorite listening/viewing choice, these are the only stations that will be contacted for weather-related information for the Glenwood Community School District.
Radio
KCSI-FM (95.3) KOAK-AM (1080) KMA-AM & FM (960 & 99.3) KFAB-AM
TV
KETV (CHANNEL 7), WOWTV (CHANNEL 6), KM3 NEWS (CHANNEL 3), KPTM (FOX 42)
LEVEL TWO
After a decision has been made to have school and run buses, individual drivers make the next decision. Some roads may not have been plowed or may be in poor condition. The individual bus driver must decide whether it is safe to travel on those roads. The drivers are instructed to observe safety first, to radio in, and turn around if conditions are unsafe. If part of the bus route cannot be driven, transportation personnel will make every attempt to contact parents so children will not wait needlessly for a bus that is not coming. Please have patience. When the weather is bad, the buses will likely not run on time and could be late. It is very important that students be dressed for the weather conditions and should not be left alone to wait for the bus.
LEVEL THREE
Parents must make the third and ultimate decision. Weather and road conditions can vary greatly across the Glenwood Community School District. Transportation decisions that are right for most of the school district might not appear safe in a given area of the district. Whether or not the school is in session and the bus is on its scheduled route, no student should be sent to school when a parent feels the risk is too high. If a parent decides a student cannot attend school because of bad weather, the student will be allowed to make up for missed schoolwork.
Even when all three levels of responsibility are exercising their best judgment, rapid weather changes will occasionally cause problems. The worst situation might make it impossible to get children home by bus. In that case, each family should have an arrangement for their student(s) to stay overnight with someone in town. The student(s) and the school should know those arrangements at the beginning of each school year.
Weather is so unpredictable that even expert forecasters upon whom we rely make mistakes. Some errors in judgment at all three levels may occur. Every effort will be made to decide based on the best information available, is in the best interest of everyone involved, and is based upon the safety of students and what is best educationally.
If a decision is made to call off school, run buses late or dismiss early, that information will be broadcast on the school messenger system and listed on the local radio and television stations as early in the day as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact Devin Embray or Frank Bachman.
Respectfully yours,
Devin Embray Superintendent of Schools 527-9034 ext. 1004 or cell 712-527-0087
Frank Bachman Director of Operations 527-4116