Increasing safety in winter weather conditions

Each school district in Washington State is mandated by Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 180-16-200 to provide “at least a district-wide <annual> average of 1,080 instructional hours for students enrolled in grades nine through 12 and a district-wide annual average of 1,000 instructional hours in grades one through eight,” or “a district-wide annual average of 1,027 instructional hours in grades one through 12.”

These hours that students must spend in the classroom are often interrupted by adverse weather conditions in the winter that threaten the safety of students and staff.

While these hours displaced by the delays are not sacrificed—they will be made up at later dates throughout the school year—they are necessary.

They ensure that students, parents, or staff throughout the Lind-Ritzville School District are not forced to traverse high-risk conditions, jeopardizing their safety.

To promote increased communication and safety through cooperative district, it is important that all students, parents, and community members understand the protocol on days when poor weather delays or prevents school.

To describe protocol, Lind-Ritzville School District Rob Roettger explained, “Our transportation supervisor Mr. Sackmann and our mechanic Don Rosman are out very early in the morning driving roads (when conditions are questionable) in various areas of our district… Usually Mr. Sackmann and I have our first contact about 4:45 in the morning.”

“Depending on the day,” Roettger continued, “Mr. Sackmann may also have contact with other transportation supervisors or individuals from the County. We run 13 routes so the big thing is to find out how roads are in the areas our buses travel.”

Road conditions are the primary concern.

Bus driver Colleen Ruzicka said, “My thoughts on poorest conditions would be any that greatly limit visibility—that could be fog, dust storms, or white-out conditions.”

Under certain circumstances, a distinction between a late start and a cancellation must be made.

Roettger said, “Mr. Sackmann will usually recommend what he feels is the best scenario for our buses. Then we will discuss and ensure that this is the right decision. If we feel like a late start will allow conditions to improve enough so that our buses and families can travel safely, then we will go with a two-hour late start.”

However, this decision can be revised; Roettger explained, “Mr. Sackmann and I have an understanding that even if a two hour delay is initially called, we can still call for a closure if conditions do not improve enough for us to feel comfortable having school. This happened [last Friday]. We initially agreed on a delay… <And> decided to change the delay to a closure.”

The time at which decisions are made is based on the time required for bus routes to collect students. Ruzicka’s morning route is approximately 2.15 hours.

Therefore, decisions regarding two-hour delays are made about 5:15-5:30 a.m.

Roettger added, “I also like to provide parents and students with an update right about 6 a.m. so that everyone can make appropriate plans for the day. If we then change to a closure we try to make this decision prior to 8 a.m.”

The school district uses the Honeywell Instant Alert System to contact parents and students about school closures and event changes.

The system utilizes contact information on the district’s Skyward program, reinforcing the importance of having up-to-date- information in the school’s database.

“If parents would like to change any of their contact information so that they do or do not receive instant alerts, they can contact their child’s school,” Roettger said.

Unfavorable weather conditions are known for interrupting the expected standard of the school schedule. Understanding protocol and improving communication can maintain the expected standard of safety.