From the Superintendent’s desk: To close or not to close school?

By Karl Heidrich

It has been a very cold winter so far this season.

I sometimes receive inquiries on the threshold regarding frigid temperatures and wind chill factors that cause school to be closes. A variety of factors are part of the decision, including the amount of time children are waiting at bus stops and the amount of time students are walking to school. Generally, the superintendents in the Ingham ISD service area work together through established guidelines and thresholds for extreme cold and wind chill temperatures. Each local superintendent will then make the final decision and determination for their individual district. If the temperature/wind chill reaches -20 F, our school district will likely close.

Below is the National Weather Service/NOAA Wind Chill Chart which outlines Frostbite times when Wind Chill temperatures near -20.0 F.

I am looking forward to warmer weather and Spring!