SCHOOL CANCELLATION PROCEDURES

Following is the process used when considering closing schools as there is not a policy or specific guidelines:

•  Monitor weather reports and information.
• Beginning about 4:30 a.m., the superintendent will contact the transportation supervisor/coordinator and our snow plowing service to check on road conditions in the event of snow.
• The superintendent will also communicate with area superintendents beginning at about 4:30 a.m. to monitor the conditions in their districts and to discuss to possibility of canceling school. This communication is on-going throughout the morning.
• Typically, a final decision to cancel school or not is made by about 5:30 a.m.
• If there is a decision to cancel school, the superintendent will begin the process of informing the community and staff. The local television and radio stations are informed and a notification is sent to the staff and parent/guardian phone numbers and emails on file in our database.

The decision to cancel school is sometimes a difficult one for several reasons:

• Weather conditions are variable in different parts of the district because of our geographic size, and our roads are plowed and salted by road departments in different communities (i.e., North Canton City, Plain Township, and Lake Township).
• The condition of the roads will factor into the decision. If the roads are clear, schools will be open. The condition of the roads is often predicated on when the storm hits and its level of intensity at certain times. For example, a storm that hits at 3:00 or 4:00 a.m. is a much greater challenge for road crews than one that hits the evening before at 11:00 p.m. or midnight.
• The temperature and wind chill will factor into the decision. If the temperature is too severe, then a decision to cancel school without a great deal of snow may be made.

In addition, weather conditions will be monitored closely throughout the morning. If the severe weather is ending in a reasonable enough time for the roads to be cleared, school may not be canceled. If the weather is supposed to become more severe throughout the day, school may be canceled, even if the snow is limited during that early morning time. Of course, there are many other factors that go into this decision, thereby making it a challenging one. Canceling school or staying open is sometimes a “no win” decision, but the final decision is made based on the best interest and safety of our students.

Parents – if school has not been canceled due to inclement weather, you can choose to keep your child home if you feel it is best. Please call them off to the respective building secretary, as usual, and it will be recorded as an “excused absence.”

Media Outlets for Updates:

WHBC AM/FM

Channel 11, WKYC, WEWS, FOX8

School Messenger Notification System - Phone/Text/Email

NCCS Websites

NCCS Social Media accounts

Canton Repository: cantonrep.com