2023-2024 | Weather-related School Closings

School Closing Procedures

2023-2024

• In circumstances where inclement weather compels the SAU to close schools, these closures will serve as either a "good old-fashioned snow day" or a "remote learning" day for students and teachers. 

• In the case of a remote learning day: Each school will craft appropriate schedules and expectations for students, teachers, and parents. Students and teachers will participate in various synchronous and supported asynchronous learning activities per the school's schedule. 

• Delays or Early Release- delayed openings  or early release from school will result in an abbreviated in-person schedule for teachers and students. These schedules will be communicated at the building-level.

Closing school is among the hardest (and most public) decisions a superintendent and team have to make. Student safety is always the primary concern. We also consider that students and families rely not only the opportunities and enrichment of education, but on the stability it provides. Additionally, we are fully cognizant that delays, early releases, and closings impact adult schedules. 

When we suspect weather might be an issue, an intricate process begins "behind the scenes." The previous evening, the team is put on alert and asked to have their phones with them and to prepare for early communications. At around 4am, SAU and district personnel begin texting and chatting about the road conditions and what will be best for students and employees. We also reach out to road agents and colleagues (other local school decision makers). We closely monitor WMUR, AccuWeather, NOAA, and other radars; the forecast heavily influences the ultimate decision. In the our districts, the first buses are typically on the road by about 6am and employees are pre-tripping buses up to an hour before that (depending on the weather). With information and forecasts in hand, the goal is to come to a conclusion about school cancellation by approximately 5:30am. It is a very collaborative and communicative process, but in the end it is the superintendent's decision.

Sometimes forecasts are not correct (a benefit of living in New England) and we have to deal with wintry road conditions. Our bus drivers are all very well trained and take every precaution in ensuring student safety. We will continue to strive to make the best decisions we can. Thank you for your understanding and support of our schools.