The Board authorizes the superintendent to close district schools, to delay the beginning of schools, or to dismiss schools early in the event of hazardous weather or other emergencies that threaten the health and/or safety of students and staff. Because public education is important, schools should be maintained at normal levels of standard operation except under extreme circumstances. Schools should not be closed due to inconvenience. If hazardous or emergency conditions do not affect all schools, only those schools affected shall be closed.
In the event of hazardous weather conditions or in emergency conditions, the superintendent may delay the opening of school on the affected day(s) by one hour increments up to one-half day to avoid hazardous conditions.
Students, parents, and the general school staff will be informed of decisions to close schools or dismiss early by announcement over Central Oregon radio and TV stations and the district web page. The announcement state that schools will be closed for that day. In the event of continuing hazardous conditions, an announcement. will be made each morning when schools will be closed for that day. No announcement means that schools will be open on regular schedules for that day.
Certified and classified school personnel attendance will be according to the terms of the written agreement between the district and appropriate association.
When schools are closed for emergency reasons, all activities, including athletic competitions and practices, will be cancelled unless specifically exempted by the superintendent. When exempted, no student shall be penalized for failure to participate.
At the beginning of each school year, students, parents and staff will be informed of the procedures used to notify them in case of an emergency closure.
END OF POLICY