February in Iowa means the height of winter weather and optimal transmission time for viruses. Both of these conditions can wreak havoc on the safe and typical operation of school districts and buildings.
Almost everyone has an opinion on school closings, and they’re usually not shy about expressing those opinions! It can seem like similar weather conditions may have different outcomes from one occasion to the next and no matter how much advance notice is provided, we would always like to know earlier than we do.
I get that. Closings and delays definitely create logistical nightmares for families. They challenge our daycare arrangements, disrupt work for parents, and often push our resources past their limits.
Weather
When it comes to weather, superintendents are on high alert several days before a forecasted event. We monitor several different weather models, apps, and channels, both locally and nationally. In Southwest Iowa, we’re in contact with our neighboring superintendents and conference leaders to share our concerns or any extenuating circumstances which may affect our decision-making. We also consult with transportation directors, bus drivers, athletic directors, event sponsors, county road workers and law enforcement officials depending on the forecasted weather event.
One of the biggest factors to be considered is how many students walk to school, how many reside in rural areas and how many high school students drive themselves. An adult with 20 years of driving experience gauges and reacts to conditions differently than a 16-year-old driving in winter weather for the first or second time.
The size of our district is also a challenge. With over 464 square miles between the Nodaway Valley and Orient-Macksburg areas, conditions could be markedly different several miles apart.
Additionally, we look at our resources and the timing of the weather event. Is it expected to last for the majority of the day? Is it supposed to get worse or get better? Are our boilers, parking lots and sidewalks all in working order? Will our buses run or even start with the extreme conditions?
Illness
When illness hits our schools, we follow a prescribed process. We are required to report to the Iowa Department of Public Health when an individual building reaches 10% student absences due to illness. If the numbers continue to grow exponentially and quickly, we consider temporarily closing a particular building when illness absences fall between 15 and 25%.
In communication with Public Health, we determine whether numbers are increasing or decreasing. We examine the typical length of the majority of the absences and the severity of the symptoms. We look at our other buildings and other outbreak areas in the county or area. Staffing is also considered as we note the number of instructional and classified staff absences.
In all cases, we try to make a decision as early as is responsible and prudent given the access to appropriate data. Our calendar is based on instructional hours, and we have a bit of cushion to make a few of these cancellations each year. Ultimately, our top consideration is student safety and well-being. Although school attendance is mandatory, if you as a parent feel your child can not safely be at school, you have the ability to not send them for a few hours or a couple of days. Our threshold may not be yours, and that’s OK. Please reach out to me directly if you have concerns about school attendance or closings.
Although February is historically one of the biggest months of the year for adverse weather and illness outbreaks, it is also the shortest month of the year. Let’s all look forward to spring!