In recent years, districts have become quicker to make closure decisions, realizing that both parents may have to work and need time to decide on childcare.
DALLAS — The decision to close schools due to weather is never easy.
Doug Williams, a former superintendent with 36 years in education, knows this all too well.
“There are parts of the job that I miss, and that’s not one of them,” he says, recalling the early 4 a.m. drives he used to make to assess road conditions.
Doug explains that there’s no perfect answer when it comes to making such decisions.
“You just have to make the best answer that you know how. There will be pushback one way or another.”
That pushback was evident earlier Tuesday when Fort Worth ISD announced that schools would remain open on Wednesday. Parents voiced their concerns over social media, calling the decision “terrible” and “horrible,” with some choosing to keep their kids home or worrying about bus riders facing sub-zero wind-chill. Some parents sided with the district calling it a “tough decision.”
In contrast, Greenville ISD announced it would close its schools which had some parents thanking the district for prioritizing the safety of the students.
The first and most obvious source for weather information for many school districts is the National Weather Service (NWS) and local meteorologists like WFAA’s Pete Delkus. Administrators are keeping a close eye on forecasts while putting into context how many of their students use the bus, walk or bike to school, or are driven to school.
Doug notes that, in recent years, districts have become quicker to make closure decisions realizing that both parents may have to work, “Like it or not, we are childcare,” he explains. “If school is not in session, there is no childcare for the parents.”
Since 2015, Texas districts have had more flexibility regarding instructional time. The standard 180 school days have been replaced by a total of 75,600 operational minutes, giving schools the ability to bank days if needed.
Doug also highlights how school leaders frequently communicate with one another, particularly when it comes to weather-related decisions. He says many superintendents who are in the same area are often on text chains together. Some districts have also historically followed the decisions made by larger districts in the area.
Some districts have already decided and some will wait until Wednesday morning. Regardless of the timing, these decisions are never taken lightly. To check for school closures and delays click here or visit wfaa.com/closings.
