School Delay or Cancellation
The process of determining delays or cancellation of school
starts at about 4:30 a.m. It involves
many people and community agencies.
It is not a unilateral decision made by only the Superintendent of
Schools. We are always going to try and
be in school when students and staff can safely get to school. There are
many factors that go into the decision including:
-
Emergency Management in Decatur County issues
the county’s emergency status. This would include a status of yellow,
orange, or red. If there is a red status then the decision is no un-necessary
travel. School will be closed.
-
What
the county highway has been able to do with clearing the county roads. We work closely with them.
-
What
the city street department has been able to do with clearing the city streets
and making intersections safe. We also
work very closely with them.
-
What Brendan Bridges (School SRO), Tim Kane (Director of Maintenance for GCS), and Travis Scudder (Director of Transportation for GCS) along with the
Superintendent decide after we have driven the roads. Our worst roads are driven between 4:30 a.m.
and 5:45 a.m. to get the best information we can get to make an informed
decision.
-
What
the weather forecast says for the day involving new snow or temperatures is
very important. You have to project at
least 8 hours ahead of your decision.
-
How
much ice is on the roads? Ice is much
harder to deal with than just snow.
-
How
many students will we not be able to pick up?
-
Can
we get the students home in the evening?
-
Is
drifting snow a concern? We have to be
aware of all the students that drive to and from school.
-
What
are the other local school systems doing? I talk to the superintendents
from Rushville, Shelbyville, Batesville, South Ripley and sometimes Columbus
along with Jarrod Burns from Decatur County.
-
Once
we have made a decision I will get the info to the staff and public ASAP.
The time of notification varies on occasion because things can change
quickly. We have to be a little flexible on those questionable
mornings. The Superintendent will always try to make the call before 6:00
a.m. or the night before when possible.
Information will be available from:
A. ParentSquare automatic calling system
B. WTRE radio
C. GCS webpage, Twitter, and Facebook
D. Local Indy TV stations
Two- hour Delay–
this will delay the starting time at all schools for two hours. Bus pick ups will be two hours later than
normal pick- ups.