Officials give many reasons to cancel

On January 15, 2025By Littum

Single digit temperatures are on the horizon this week, leaving some parents on edge. Several schools in southwestern Ohio and northern Kentucky canceled classes last week because of the cold, and starting Monday, another bout of bitter cold took hold.

A cold front moved through the area early Monday, and “even colder air will pour into the region by midweek,” according to National Weather Service. Forecasters predict negative wind chill on Tuesday.

Does this mean more missed school for the region’s children? What cold weather policies do local schools adhere to? And what are the real risks of sending students to school in cold weather?

Some schools do not have cold weather policies, meaning administrators decide on a case-by-case basis whether to cancel school on bitterly cold days. The Enquirer asked all 64 of the region’s public school districts about their cold weather procedures and how administrators decide whether to cancel or postpone school.

Parker Brown, spokesman for Milford Exempted Village Schools, says not having a set policy is an advantage for the district.

“This allows the district to remain flexible and responsive to various conditions without being constrained to specific actions,” Brown wrote in an email to The Enquirer.

Almost all of those who responded said their decisions depend on how cold it will be in the morning when students go to school or wait outside for their bus. In most cases, school administrators consider closing their buildings if the National Weather Service predicts wind-chill temperatures approaching -15 degrees.

Why cancel school because of the cold? Administrators care about student safety

Michael Sander has served as superintendent of Franklin City Schools for 23 years. He said he has never canceled school because of the cold, but he delayed school Thursday because of cold weather.

Sander said he considers delaying school start times if the temperature is in the single digits or if the wind chill is below zero.

“If we have a winter weather warning or a watch, that helps me with the decision,” Sander said.

Daylight is also a factor, he said. When he delays start times, it is so that it will be light enough outside for the students to see their bus coming from inside their houses. That way, the students don’t have to stand out in the cold and wait for their bus.

“I worry about the dangers of cold to students going to school,” Sander said.

Administrators of hiking districts like the Lockland Local School District are especially concerned about frostbite and hypothermia during extremely cold days.

Princeton City Schools spokeswoman Tricia Roddy listed several safety risks to consider on days with extremely cold temperatures:

Students waiting at bus stops can be exposed to dangerous chills and the risk of frostbite, especially as buses can run late in cold conditions.
Young children are particularly vulnerable to cold exposure and may not recognize early warning signs. Some students may not have adequate winter clothing, increasing their risk.
Parents driving students to bus stops may experience problems with cars not starting in extreme cold.
Diesel school buses often have difficulty starting or running properly in extreme cold. Even when buses start, they can take longer to warm up properly, and the cold can affect brake systems and other mechanical components.
If a bus breaks down, students will be exposed to dangerous temperatures while waiting for help.
School heating systems can struggle to maintain safe temperatures in extreme cold.
Pipes can freeze, potentially leaving buildings without water.
Children with special health conditions, especially asthmatic children, may need special accommodation in cold weather.

“My decision on any weather-related cancellation is one that is never taken lightly, as the safety of our students and staff is the top priority,” said Bill Rice, superintendent of Ross Local Schools. “In addition, I strive to give families as much time as possible to make the necessary care arrangements.”

At Ross, Rice said district staff assess road conditions and consult with township road crews to determine snow days. Cold days are similar, he said, while also considering wind chill temperatures. Rice said he works with other Butler County school superintendents to make his decisions.

Children in need get meals, winter clothes at school

Elgin Card, superintendent of Princeton City Schools, sent a message to the families of the district on Friday explained its decision-making process. He said his team considers wind chill, weather forecasts throughout the school day, driving conditions, potential delays to early release times and overall student safety for those walking or waiting for buses.

According to district policy, Princeton schools are likely to close on days when the temperature and wind chill are below -20 degrees, because exposure to that kind of cold for more than 15 minutes can be dangerous.

Card and other employees personally drive around the district to assess safety conditions on roads and in school parking lots, he said. The goal is always to get children to school if it is safe.

“Learning happens best in classrooms. Many of our students rely on school morning and lunch programs for nutrition, and some find their classrooms provide warmth they may lack at home,” Card wrote to district parents Friday.

The school also provides winter clothing such as coats, hats and gloves to students who need it.

“I recognize that some families may sometimes disagree with inclement weather decisions, and I want to be clear: you always have the right to make the choice you feel is best for your child,” Card said. “As parents, you know your situation best.”

The wind chill factor

Boone County School District’s cold weather policy depends on wind chill and National Weather Service announcements. Administrators keep an eye on weather alerts and tend to make decisions in the morning for the district.

If forecasters predict a wind chill between -10 and -24 degrees, then schools typically stay open unless there are operating problems with the district’s buses or mechanical problems in the school buildings.

If forecasters predict a wind chill of -25 degrees and below, the district cancels school.

However, if school is in session and parents feel the weather is uncertain, they can request an excused absence for their student.

“Please understand that the safety of our staff and students is our top priority when we make the decision to postpone or close school,” the district’s policy reads. “We can assure you that our school buildings are warm, safe and an ideal place for students to be when it is extremely cold outside.”

Little Miami Local School District Policy also depends on the National Weather Service. Mason City SchoolsThe policy simply states that schools close if the temperature and/or wind chill is below -20 degrees. At Winton Woods City Schools, administrators are considering delaying or closing the school when chills are below -5, along with other factors such as wind gusts, humidity levels and daylight.

The Lebanon City School District does not have an official policy, but generally district leaders consider delaying or closing school if the actual temperature is 0 degrees or colder and the wind chill is at or below -15 during important walking and bus pickup times.

Oak Hills Local School District also doesn’t have a cold weather policy, but Chris Gramke, district spokesman, said the district typically considers closing or delaying school when the “real feeling” temperature is close to -15 degrees because it’s when frostbite can occur after 30 minutes of exposure.

Oak Hills, Reading City Schools and other districts use National Weather Service wind chill safety chart to make decisions about the cold.

Accident days: Should students take cold days at the end of the school year?

Ohio schools no longer have disaster days. Instead, Ohio law requires a fixed number of instructions hours by grade level. Most districts plan more hours in a school year than they need in case of emergency school closings, including snow and cold days.

However, if a school closes enough that they fall short of the required teaching hours, they must extend the school year.

At Oak Hills, the three snow days from last week add up to about 18 lost hours. Princeton also canceled three days, but the district spokesman said the district “has scheduled well over the minimum number of hours, so we don’t need to extend the school year or fill hours.”

If more cold days start to add up, some schools may add extra school days at the end of the school year. Others, like Milford and Reading, said they might consider remote learning days in cold weather instead of canceling school.

At Mason City Schools, decisions are weighed between safety and learning, but the district adds another layer: taking into account the fun of the winter season for children.

“We also recognize the unique joy and ‘magic’ that snow days bring to our staff, families and students,” said Tracey Carson, public information officer for Mason City Schools. “As long as we don’t have so many closures that we jeopardize class time or student learning, we aim to preserve the special snow day experiences. For now, our approach allows us to balance safety and the occasional joy of an unexpected day. of, while maintaining the high-quality education our society expects.”This story was updated to add a video.