15 Feb 2007
Radio and Television Stations Will Be Informed of the Decision to Open or Close
DALLAS—The Dallas Independent School District has revised its procedures for informing the public of school closings due to inclement weather no later than 6 a.m. of the day in question.
Revised guidelines for informing the public of inclement weather state that if a decision is made to open or close schools, it will be announced through radio and television and the district's Web site at www.dallasisd.org. Unlike before, when only closings were reported, the district now will call radio and television stations and inform them whether or not schools are open or closed on inclement weather days. 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 personnel drive the streets near the neighborhood schools to check road conditions. 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.
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.