Behind-The-Scenes of a Snow Day

How is the decision made to close schools when winter weather begins looming on the horizon? The process for calling off school might be more complex than one might expect.

Oftentimes, not always, days out as snow enters the forecast for LaRue County, a series of events begins. LaRue County Schools Superintendent Adryanne Warren along with Director of Transportation Nathan Wheeler and Director of Maintenance WL Miller receive state-wide weather briefings designed to help them anticipate weather conditions and stay up-to-date on the potential for incoming weather systems.

At this point in the process, timing becomes the main factor in determining a decision to continue on a regular school schedule or to begin considering closing. Last week when school was out for five days in a row, the decisions were made well in advance due to temperatures being well below freezing for a significant period of time before snow or ice began falling. When this happens, decisions can be made the day before allowing families more time to make arrangements.

However, as often is the case in the beginning or end of Winter, the timing of the snowfall with temperatures around freezing the decision can be much more challenging to make. This is the step in the process that begins involving a team of people venturing out in different parts of the community to see how each area has been affected.

It has been the case in recent years that roads in Magnolia or Mt Sherman are clear and easily navigated while road conditions in Roanoke or downtown Hodgenville are dangerous for busses and students drivers to traverse.

The team of staff members including Warren, Wheeler, Miller, members of the Transportation Department and additional Central Office administrators begin checking roads around 4:30am. This allows enough time for each person to report on their area and for a decision to be made.

In the event school is closed, the work for some members of the staff doesn’t end. Miller and his maintenance team check on buildings throughout the district ensuring the heating systems, plumbing, and grounds are in working order.

While a Snow Day is rightfully an enjoyable part of many students’ upbringing, the decisions made in order to get to that point take time, wisdom, and careful consideration.