When conditions require a school delay or closing you will receive a call or text from our emergency notification system. Delay and closings are announced on the District's website, District social media, and local Erie based TV stations. Typically, when school is canceled, after-school and evening activities are canceled, but always check the website for up-to-date information.

The best way to be alerted to changes in the school schedule is through the District's emergency notification system. You will receive an automated phone call, text, and/or email to the primary phone number(s) you have listed in PowerSchool. Calls are typically made no later than 10:00 p.m. and no earlier than 5:00 a.m. The success of this system depends on accurate contact information obtained from school records. If your information has changed, please update your contact information by contacting your child(ren)'s school secretary to update your files.

Who Decides?

The Superintendent is required by law to ensure that the schools are open on all scheduled days unless conditions are unsafe for students. Consequently, the Superintendent must decide if conditions warrant a change in the normal schedule.

When is the Decision Made?

When extreme weather conditions are forecast, the decision is often made the preceding evening in order to give parents additional time to make necessary arrangements for their children. Under normal circumstances, the process of gathering relevant information begins at approximately 3:30 a.m. Every effort is made to make decisions regarding delays and cancellations by 5:15 a.m.

What are the Primary Reasons for a Delay or Cancellation?

Extreme cold temperatures that could be unsafe for students.

Road conditions that are too dangerous for the school buses to travel.

What is the Critical Question Regarding the Safety of the Roads?

The critical question is: Can school buses traveling at safe speeds get students to school safely and reasonably “on time?” The question is not: Is it snowing or are some roads slippery? That answer could be yes, but that does not always mean that buses cannot travel safely.

If the conditions are drivable at 5:00 a.m. when the bus drivers arrive to start bus preparations and there is not an impending forecast of snow corroborated with weather radar, transportation operations will begin.

School will be delayed or cancelled if road conditions are such that travel is too hazardous for vehicles.

School cancellation will be considered if travel delays are expected to be so great that staff cannot reach the buildings to teach students or students will be out at bus stops for an excessive amount of time.

Note: If an unexpected squall or lake effect snow band arises once transportation of students begins, it is usually not possible to cancel or delay bus runs in progress. In this instance, the buses will travel slowly or even stop temporarily, if necessary, until conditions improve. Each bus driver has the authority to determine that a road is unsafe for travel and abort a portion of a route.

Aren’t the Buses Cold in the Morning During Extreme Weather?

No. When the temperatures are extreme, the school district contractors report to work early to start the buses and warm them up to a safe operational temperature before departure. Due to the size of the vehicle and their construction, buses will not be heated to the same temperature as your personal vehicle. Students should wear winter attire for their ride on the bus into school.

What about an Unscheduled Early Dismissal?

In the event of a rare early dismissal, the district will make every attempt to notify parents through social media, blast calls, Facebook, etc. The district tries to avoid early dismissal as PennDOT works with the district in establishing schedules to have the roads clear for our normally scheduled dismissal at 3 pm.

What Decision Should Parents Make?

Parents always have the responsibility for making decisions that are in the best interest of the health and safety of their own children. This includes decisions about sending a child to school when conditions are questionable.

The Superintendent will make a decision in the best interest of the District at large. Parents may decide to make a different decision for their own child based upon other factors such as age, health, attendance, academics, distance from the bus stop, road conditions unique to their area, bus stop waiting area, length of the bus ride, etc. In those situations, the School District will honor the decision of the parent who assesses the individual circumstance and acts accordingly.

While it is important to have students in school, on time, every scheduled day, the safety of each child is paramount. As the District makes every effort to preserve instructional time for its students, parents are urged to make the appropriate decision based on their own situation in order to preserve the health, safety, and welfare of their child.

What is the Recommendation for Winter Dress?

Our school District is located in a Snow Belt area. Frequent heavy snow and cold temperatures are normal during the winter season. Students should always wear an appropriate coat, hat, gloves, and boots during winter weather.