MISD REPORT
When we experience ice/ sleet/snow and start school late, the district respects the decision of parents not to send their children to school.
On days such as these, a student’s absence is counted as excused.
In times of inclement weather, our decision to open or close schools in bad weather has a big effect on families.
We also understand that our students are better served, both academically and socially, by being in school. The safety of our students and staff is our top priority in making a decision to keep schools open or close schools in bad weather.
We make the decision to open or close the schools in bad weather based on a careful analysis of all relevant factors, such as:
• Information on road conditions. Generally, Eugene Urbanovsky, our transportation supervisor, and myself will be out on the roads checking roads and bridges on our major roadways.
This means getting out on the roads between 4:30 and 5 p.m. in the morning, but it is necessary.
• Amount of snow and ice accumulated.
• Whether snow/ice is continuing.
• Building conditions (such as whether we have electricity and heat).
• Weather predictions. We prefer not making our decision based on weather predictions, which are not always accurate. However, sometimes this is unavoidable.
As the superintendent, I make the final decision.
There are several ways to find out if school is closed:
• Our automated phone call system.
• Tune in to local radio: KMIL, Cameron (1330-AM) and KRXT (98.5-FM).
• Tune in to local television: KBTX Channel 3, and KCEN Channel 6.
• Visit the district’s website, milanoisd.net, where the information will be posted on the front page.
• The district’s Facebook page will also be updated to reflect school delays and closings.
Usually, the decision to close school is made by 5:30 a.m. or earlier so we can notify radio and TV stations and post the decision on our web-site. If we wait longer to announce a closing, some parents will have already left for work, leaving their children unsupervised.
Keep in mind that, even if weather conditions worsen, we cannot reverse our decision in the morning without endangering students. Once we make the decision to have school, many parents rely on that decision and leave for work.
If conditions get worse during the school day, we may need to release students early. This decision would be based on current weather and road conditions.
Although the district does its best in this process, we know that often no perfect decision exists. If you do not feel as though it is safe for your child to attend school, please know you have the option of keeping your child at home.
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