Snow Day Decisions - Understanding the Process

Snow Days are fun for the kids but not always fun for families working to find child care. We understand all this and that’s why calling a snow or a cold day is not taken lightly. Everytime the weather looks like it might cause snowy and/or unsafe conditions, Superintendent Scott Francis participates in a phone call, sometimes many calls, with a meteorologist and local superintendents to learn what the prediction is for the weather. Based on the meterologist’s report, the superintendents stay in communication to decide if schools should stay open or close for the safety of the children. The goal is to make this decision as early as possible so families have time to make child care plans.

Here are all the things Superintendent Francis considers when deciding to call a snow day:

1. The day’s temperature and wind chill predictions, especially when students will be outside walking to and from school
2. Road safety, if ice and/or snow is in the forecast
3. Timing of the snow/ice storm and if our maintenance crews as well as the local municipalities will be able to clear the streets and sidewalks for our students
4. If the snow/ice storm will blanket the region and if the two-thirds of our staff who live out of district will be able to make it to work on time
5. If our staff members who take public transportation/walk will be able to make it to work on time
6. If Servicar will be open to transport our students who take the bus every day
7. If our students who are walking will have safe conditions to arrive at school
8. If local districts will also close which could close CASA and Oakland Schools Technical Campus, where many of our students spend part of their day
9. If we stay open, will we have enough students (75%) in attendance to count the day for school funding

In Michigan we know that the weather can be unpredictable. Here in the Berkley Schools, we would like to be open and share learning with our students every day. Sometimes, the weather doesn't cooperate, and a snow or cold day decision is made. As a walking district, with minimal daily busing, we also have to consider both the road conditions and outside conditions for our students who walk to school daily. Hopefully this insight gives you a better understanding of the decision to close school.