The Process Behind School Closing Decisions
JACKSON, Tenn. — The decision whether or not school will be closed for a snow day is usually made before many of us are even awake. As early as the 3 in the morning someone from the Jackson-Madison County School District starts driving around the area roads. These are the same roads students, staff and buses use on a daily basis. “The outer county roads are more apt to ice and snow in certain areas than the city,” Grant Ward said, with JMCSS Transportation Department. “Buses and cars will be traveling that morning. So you have students in cars and you have buses that will be traveling you got to take that into consideration.” Other things have to be taken into consideration, such as the timing of the snow or ice, which can be critical. “There are events when it comes while they are in school,” Ginger Carver with JMCSS Public Relations said. “Then we would make the decision as quickly as possible to ensure their safety.” After several phone call and trips around the county, the call is finally made by 4:30 am. “Sometimes it’s an easy call and sometimes it’s a hard call and we then get the information and give it to Dr. Ruffin,” added Ward. The district wants kids in school as long as it is safe. They say safety is their main concern. “Mainly the safety of the school bus drivers because of kids on the bus we have teachers driving we have students who drive to high schools parents will be bringing children,” said Ward. “We’re going to lean on the side of safety first for our students and staff,” Carver said. “If the decision needs to be made with schools letting out we’ll adjust the school day and make it happen.” At the start of the school year, parents give a cell phone number where they can be contacted. This number is also the one the school district uses to send automatic text messages which will let them know of the status on school closures.
