WINTER STORM PROCEDURE 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2

PHASE I - CANCELLATION OF SCHOOL IN THE MORNING

Blizzards are the most dramatic and perilous of all winter storms, characterized by low temperatures and strong winds bearing large amounts of snow which are whipped in such great quantities that at times visibility is only a few yards.

Blizzards are one of our most serious potential dangers to the safety of our school children. With the distances that school buses have to travel it is conceivable a bus could begin its route in relatively clear weather and yet be caught in a severe blizzard before its route is ended.

I. No rules, regulations, or guidelines will supplant the use of common sense by a responsible driver in any or all emergency situations. The driver shall, to the best of his/her abilities, be prepared to meet his/her responsibility for the safety and welfare of the passengers on his/her bus under any situation that may arise.

II. The superintendent or his designated representative (or a building principal in the event that Mr. Wilson is not available) shall make the final decision during the threat of a blizzard concerning the convening or dismissal of school and the operation of school buses.

The decision shall be made with: A. The weather bureau at Goodland B. Building Principals C. Patrons who live in various localities in the district.

III. When the decision is made that USD #466 WILL NOT have school or school will be dismissed early because of bad weather, the following radio and TV stations will be notified:

Radio KBGU 96.3 FM KJIL 99.1 FM, KHYM 103.9 FM KDC K 95.5 FM, KGNO 1370 AM KSKL 94.5 FM KBUF 1030 AM, KIUL AM KFLA KSKZ 99.9 FM, KYBD 98.1 FM KANZ 91.1 FM

Television KSNG #11 KBSD #6 KUPK #13

USD #466 HOT LINE – 872-7615 BUS DISPATCHER – 872-7650

Every effort will be made to have the announcements about school closings on the air by 6am WINTER STORM PROCEDURE – 2011-2012 - PAGE 2

PHASE II - WHEN WEATHER APPROACHES BLIZZARD CONDITIONS WHILE SCHOOL IS IN SESSION OR NEAR THE TIME SCHOOL IS DISMISSED FOR THE DAY.

A. The superintendent or his representative shall make the decision whether school will be dismissed and the children sent home.

B. If there is any doubt early in our minds whether safety precautions should be invoked, we will always decide in favor of the children’s safety.

a. It is very doubtful that children who live in town will ever be kept at school, but this could very well be the situation for rural students and rural attendance centers in the event of a fast moving blizzard.

b. In the event the children are sent home on buses, the dispatcher shall keep in contact with the bus drivers until all children are delivered safely to their homes.

1. No bus driver shall leave a child unless a parent or guardian is home. 2. Students may be left with a neighbor if the parents are notified. (Standing consent should be on file with the building principals. Consent forms filled out at enrollment) 3. In the event it is not possible to follow (1) and (2), then students may be returned to the school to be housed.

C. In the event it is decided to keep the children at the school building, principals shall notify all parents of the situation by telephone (when possible); radio and television stations will also be contacted to notify parents of the situation and the safety of their children.

Mr. Wilson Superintendent of Schools Scott County