School closings: Dallas, Fort Worth ISDs close due to weather. See the full list

On By Littum

Dallas school closures: How districts decide when to close

School districts consider many factors before making a decision to cancel classes. But they say the most important thing is the safety of students and staff.

DALLAS – Dallas and Fort Worth ISDs are among several school districts in North Texas to close schools due to the winter weather.

Dallas and Fort Worth ISD schools will be closed on both Thursday, January 9th and Friday, January 10th. Athletics and after-school events are also canceled.

LIST: Winter weather shutdowns

Current school closures

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Snow in Dallas

Dallas Weather: Latest Snow Forecast

Dan Henry has the latest forecast and timeline on winter weather.

Things will be mostly dry with highs in the low 40s Wednesday. But the forecast calls for a mixture of snow, sleet and rain all day Thursday. The northern areas are more likely to see snow, while the southern areas will experience the most rain.

Then, after sunset Thursday, the wintry mix turns to snow, with heavier snow expected north and northeast of Dallas. Snowfall forecasts are 1 to 3 inches in the DFW area, with 3 to 6 inches in the northern and northeastern parts of the Metroplex.

The National Weather Service has upgraded the Winter Storm Watch to a Winter Storm Warning for most of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex through Friday.

MORE: Weather forecast Dallas-Fort Worth

How schools decide when to close

Most schools across the Metroplex, including Dallas and Fort Worth ISD, have already announced cancellations for Thursday and Friday.

DISD is home to more than 20,000 employees.

Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde says she and other North Texas superintendents made the joint decision Wednesday to cancel classes for the rest of the week.

“They may be employed with Dallas ISD, but they may live in a nearby school district. So if we’re closed and they’re open or vice versa, that creates some challenges for our entire community,” she said. “No matter what we decide, someone will think there is a better decision. We will always air on the side where everyone is safe.”

Dallas ISD weighed factors including building infrastructure such as the potential for pipe leaks along with sidewalk safety and road conditions.

“If there’s any kind of ice, we all know it’s extremely dangerous,” Elizalde said. “No matter how prepared we are, we don’t want our drivers to deal with that.”

Principals also remember that if the roads are safe, they must prioritize the children being in the classroom – both from an educational point of view as well as not to hinder the parents’ work schedules.

Schools out! The students are looking forward to the snow day

School districts say their biggest consideration when canceling classes is safety. As for children, they fully support the decision.

“We need our students in class. We need them in school where we know they’re learning and growing,” said Richardson ISD Superintendent Tabitha Branum. “But when we know there’s a potential for severe weather, safety needs to be considered. We want to make sure our students and our staff and our community and our families are safe getting to and from school.”

Some school districts are waiting until Thursday to make a decision about school on Friday.

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