Unit 5 Winter Weather Policy

Any decision to close schools or delay the start of a school day due to weather conditions will be made after careful consideration of the following factors:

1. Road Conditions, especially in rural areas of the district;
2. Precipitation (snow, sleet, freezing rain);
3. Temperature;
4. Wind Chill;
5. Predicted Changes in the weather conditions.

When necessary, snow removal efforts, focused in particular on bus lanes and parking lots, begin between 2:00-4:00 AM. These employees and other district administrators and staff who live in various directions from the district report conditions in their respective areas to the Superintendent whenever the possibility of closure exists. Other area superintendents are often consulted. The targeted time to make a decision to close for the day is no later than 6:15 AM. Only in unusual circumstances would such a decision be made at a later time. A decision to close for the day will be posted on the Unit 5 website immediately, and all principals and media outlets will be notified.

Weather conditions that are predicted to improve shortly may result in a late start of the school day. This will usually be a one hour delay, with elementary schools starting at 9:15 AM, middle schools at 9:35 AM and high schools at 8:55 AM. All bus drivers will adjust their routes by one hour. Such a decision will be posted on the Unit 5 website immediately, and all principals and media outlets will be notified.