1. Weather Decision Procedure
Johnny Giles
Chief of Staff
December 9, 2014

2. Pre-decision Process
When the threat of inclement weather is present, the Huntsville City Schools Weather Safety Team (WST) begins the process of making critical decisions for continuation or dismissal of school activities.
WST consists of Director of Operations, Safety Manager, Transportation Coordinator, Director of Communications, Deputy Superintendent, Director of Instruction and Chief of Staff
WST members attend EMA briefings in the Madison County Emergency Operations Center and monitor changing weather conditions until enough data is available to make an informed decision
Transportation Coordinator, Safety Manager and/or Maintenance Manager will assess critical roadways, typically between 4:00 a.m.-5:00 a.m. if necessary
WST convenes via teleconference at 5:00 a.m. to determine the appropriate response
Recommendation communicated to Superintendent for approval
Superintendent’s decision immediately communicated to the public through all available communication channels
NOTE: If enough details are available to make an informed decision, this process may take place the day before

3. School Cancellations/Delays Due to Hazardous Travel Conditions
If conditions are deemed hazardous for employee travel:
Schools will be closed or will delay opening to allow the conditions to improve or be remediated.
Meals may be delayed or cancelled depending on the circumstances.

4. School Delays Due to Hazardous Exposure Conditions
If conditions are deemed safe for travel, but unsafe for students (e.g., due to extended exposure to the elements for students who walk or ride the bus):
Employees will report to work at their regularly scheduled time
Buses will run on a delayed schedule to allow conditions to improve
Official school day for students will begin in accordance with delayed bus schedule
Students who drive or are dropped off by parents may still report to school at regularly scheduled time, but are not required to be there until official start of classes in conjunction with delayed bus schedules
Meals will be served at their regularly scheduled times
Principals may work on a case-by-case basis with employees who have children to determine appropriate arrangements that do not create undue hardship

5. Early Dismissals
If inclement weather becomes imminent during regularly scheduled school and/or normal operations hours, the WST will confer to discuss conditions and options for a possible early dismissal:
Considerations for early dismissal include but are not limited to: bus route completion times, bus mobilization time span, severity of threat, field trips, special events, after-school extracurricular activities, and community events scheduled for the day
If decision for an early dismissal is made, dismissal order will be as follows:
Elementary and High Schools dismissed first
Middle Schools dismiss 30 minutes later (this allows buses that service both elementary and middle schools to run their normal afternoon routes)
If schools are dismissed early or cancelled for inclement weather, all after-school activities and events will be cancelled

6. Method of Notification
Once a decision for cancellation, delay or early dismissal is made, it will be communicated to the public and school employees through all available communication methods including, but not limited to:
School Cast (phone, , text)
Media Release
Social Media
Nixle Notification Services (EMA’s notification system)