Well, Dragons, it was another early morning for our transportation officials and district administrators. This call today wasn't quite so easy up until the moment the districts in our area all began to close. First of all, some of the roads we expected to be wet were still significantly dry at 5 a.m. Conditions this morning were nothing like last week where ice already covered a significant portion of the roadways.
Still, while we were conferencing one school administrator was out driving the roads. In fact, he had been since about 4:30 a.m. this morning. He reported that there were trees beginning to ice up and puddles with ice forming around the edges, but roadways were suprisingly clearer than expected. As the first signs of sleet began to fall, we started getting word that other districts were considering going to school and just releasing early. This is never really a good option.
As we were conferencing with area superintendents, the temperature began to drop dramatically - like one degree for every minute. In the course of 15 minutes, decisions became a little more clear, with a band of snow - now predicted at only 1-2 inches instead of the 2-4 first predicted - following behind the sleet. The administrator out driving the roads noted that temps dropped seven degrees in an 11-minute period.
One by one, districts made the decision to close. It seemed with temperatures continuing to drop and the wind howling outside, we didn't stand much of a chance of getting a full day in before dealing with difficult roadways and trying to get everyone home safely.
At the time the call was made, it seemed the right thing to do, though all agreed this one was close and could have gone either way. Hours from now when you read this column, that may sound ridiculous.
Hindsight is always 20-20. We realize that states on the east coast and in the midwest/northern part of the country go to school in conditions far worse. In fact, we often get calls from individuals who question our decisions once they have gotten up to drive to work and things "seem fine."
However, this is Texas. And the weather changes dramatically in short periods of time. Our decisions are being made for thousands of school children and employees hours before commuters start their morning trek to work. We have to consider the forecast, current conditions, temperatures, heating systems, sidewalks and parking lots, commute times/conditions for employees, etc. Our goal as a public school district is to educate children. So closing is not a decision we take lightly. Though school children (and sometimes even teachers) often pray for snow days. . .school administrators do not.
I can assure you, making weather-related decisions are some of the most difficult decisions to make. Sometimes, like last week, people tell us we did the obvious - it was a no brainer. Sometimes, we get to school and conditions get worse and we receive calls questioning our intelligence as we contemplate sending children back home while parents may be gone to work. And sometimes. . .just sometimes, everyone is just fine with our decision because they realize we have the best interests of their children in mind.
I hope today is one of those days.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Carroll Closes For Unprecedented Fourth Consecutive Day
Well, it's weather. . .and it's Texas. So of course it's unpredictable.
Carroll ISD just officially canceled school for the fourth consecutive day due to wintry weather conditions. Dragon parents are jokingly looking forward to my voice on their telephone each day. . .or not. Seems some are starting to get a little cabin fever following Monday evening's ice storm that crippled most of the North Texas area and kept school children everywhere indoors for nearly a week.
What are families to do? No practices, no games, no meetings, no events? Well, needless to say that the Super Ice Storm of 2011 is just as surprising to everyone as last year's unprecedented foot of snow that shut down schools temporarily and sent Texas children outdoors to do something they rarely get to do - build REAL snowmen and go sledding!
With more snow predicted tonight, school officials didn't have much choice but to call off classes Friday. Parking lots and sidewalks continue to be iced over, with some roadways not looking much better. Temperatures have remained below freezing and now are not expected to improve until Saturday afternoon. At least one weather forecast predicts snow a couple of days next week, too. But let's hope for the best.
Carroll ISD agreed to work with Atmos Energy to voluntarily participate in "powering down" the district's natural gas usage to heat facilities. All CISD buildings are currently operating in "unoccupied" mode, which will help conserve energy for peak residential usage. Scheduled rolling blackouts have become common terminology across a great portion of the state unaccustomed to energy deficiencies.
Still, most school children are probably relieved to have a little time at home and school staff can catch up on emails, grading and special projects.
The celebrating may be short-lived because Dragons will now attend school on the two planned bad weather days - Monday, April 11 and Friday, April 22. Most will likely forget these few days of fun in February when the sun is shining and they are sitting in class this April.
School officials say the district will likely submit a weather-related waiver to the Texas Commissioner of Education, asking him to waive the other two instructional days. This process to seek a waiver is first considered by the District Advisory Committee and then the Board of Trustees. CISD Trustees are expected to vote on the waiver at their February 21 meeting.
In the meantime, stay warm and enjoy a long, long weekend. We'll see you Monday, Dragons!
Carroll ISD just officially canceled school for the fourth consecutive day due to wintry weather conditions. Dragon parents are jokingly looking forward to my voice on their telephone each day. . .or not. Seems some are starting to get a little cabin fever following Monday evening's ice storm that crippled most of the North Texas area and kept school children everywhere indoors for nearly a week.
What are families to do? No practices, no games, no meetings, no events? Well, needless to say that the Super Ice Storm of 2011 is just as surprising to everyone as last year's unprecedented foot of snow that shut down schools temporarily and sent Texas children outdoors to do something they rarely get to do - build REAL snowmen and go sledding!
With more snow predicted tonight, school officials didn't have much choice but to call off classes Friday. Parking lots and sidewalks continue to be iced over, with some roadways not looking much better. Temperatures have remained below freezing and now are not expected to improve until Saturday afternoon. At least one weather forecast predicts snow a couple of days next week, too. But let's hope for the best.
Carroll ISD agreed to work with Atmos Energy to voluntarily participate in "powering down" the district's natural gas usage to heat facilities. All CISD buildings are currently operating in "unoccupied" mode, which will help conserve energy for peak residential usage. Scheduled rolling blackouts have become common terminology across a great portion of the state unaccustomed to energy deficiencies.
Still, most school children are probably relieved to have a little time at home and school staff can catch up on emails, grading and special projects.
The celebrating may be short-lived because Dragons will now attend school on the two planned bad weather days - Monday, April 11 and Friday, April 22. Most will likely forget these few days of fun in February when the sun is shining and they are sitting in class this April.
School officials say the district will likely submit a weather-related waiver to the Texas Commissioner of Education, asking him to waive the other two instructional days. This process to seek a waiver is first considered by the District Advisory Committee and then the Board of Trustees. CISD Trustees are expected to vote on the waiver at their February 21 meeting.
In the meantime, stay warm and enjoy a long, long weekend. We'll see you Monday, Dragons!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Carroll Continues To Monitor Weather
Although the decision was made early this morning to close Carroll schools for February 1, questions are already coming in about the possibility of a delay or cancellation on Wednesday, February 2. Temperatures are forecast to stay well below the freezing point throughout the day and night, causing most Texans to consider the possibility that current conditions won't improve before Wednesday, morning.
Carroll school officials continue to monitor the wintry weather conditions. Although it may seem like an easy decision, delaying or canceling school for 7,676 students and nearly 1,200 staff members is anything but easy. Although safety is a top priority, educating students is also a top priority.
Official Carroll ISD announcements are made on the district's telephone notification system, Carroll ISD's website, news media stations and MySouthlakeNews.com.
Decisions are typically made as close to 6 a.m. as possible. Local officials monitor weather forecasts, consult with area school superintendents and transportation directors and drive roads as early as 3:30-4 a.m. to test conditions. CISD has a number of staff members who live outside of our district boundaries and drive to Southlake to work. We also rely on food service workers and bus drivers who commute to our area from outlying locations.
Although the condition of major roadways and back streets are monitored, CISD also assesses the presence of ice on sidewalks and parking lots and considers current heating system issues when making final decisions. The forecast and pending temperatures are also factored into the process. Much care is taken to make a decision in the best interest of all involved, but decisions often have to be made several hours in advance of approaching weather.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to communicate important announcements regarding weather related delays and/or closings. Stayed tuned to our usual communication methods for details related to our current weather conditions.
Carroll school officials continue to monitor the wintry weather conditions. Although it may seem like an easy decision, delaying or canceling school for 7,676 students and nearly 1,200 staff members is anything but easy. Although safety is a top priority, educating students is also a top priority.
Official Carroll ISD announcements are made on the district's telephone notification system, Carroll ISD's website, news media stations and MySouthlakeNews.com.
Decisions are typically made as close to 6 a.m. as possible. Local officials monitor weather forecasts, consult with area school superintendents and transportation directors and drive roads as early as 3:30-4 a.m. to test conditions. CISD has a number of staff members who live outside of our district boundaries and drive to Southlake to work. We also rely on food service workers and bus drivers who commute to our area from outlying locations.
Although the condition of major roadways and back streets are monitored, CISD also assesses the presence of ice on sidewalks and parking lots and considers current heating system issues when making final decisions. The forecast and pending temperatures are also factored into the process. Much care is taken to make a decision in the best interest of all involved, but decisions often have to be made several hours in advance of approaching weather.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to communicate important announcements regarding weather related delays and/or closings. Stayed tuned to our usual communication methods for details related to our current weather conditions.
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