11 Jan 2007
DALLAS—In the event of inclement weather, Dallas Independent School District procedures call for a decision to close schools to be determined no later than 6 a.m. of the day in question. The district will not hold school if buses are unable to operate safely; if electric service at schools is disrupted; or if natural gas to schools is curtailed. No announcement is made if schools are open for the day.
If a decision is made to close schools, it will be announced through radio and television stations after 6 a.m. Once schools are open for the day, classes are held for the entire school day so as to not disrupt the learning environment.
The procedures for making the decision to close schools begin early in the morning when school administrators in each area of the city drive the streets near the neighborhood schools to check road conditions.
Administrators confer with the weather bureau, police department, and gas and utility companies about forecasts, road conditions and available energy for heating the buildings. The administrators report the findings to the general superintendent who makes the final decision to open or close schools.
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