ND State Superintendent Allowing Local Districts to Make Decisions on Weather-Related School Closures

With a blizzard warning and life-threatening cold barreling down on the area, school closures are at the top of everyone's minds.

ND State Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler says that local school districts make their own decisions regarding school closures due to extreme weather conditions, which we will certainly be experiencing in the coming days. National Weather Service forecasts for Monday predict extreme cold temperatures and wind chills statewide.

Local administrators watch forecasts vigilantly. They know their local conditions and factors that affect student safety and make decisions accordingly. Student safety is top priority when determining whether a school should be closed due to inclement weather.

When extreme winter weather is predicted, administrators monitor numerous sources for forecasts and road conditions, and take snowfall, temperature, wind speed, wind chill and other local factors into consideration. If a district decides to hold classes, but parents are still concerned for their children’s safety, parents may choose to pick up their children early or keep them home from school. Baesler explains:

School district administrators respect parents’ and guardians’ decisions regarding their children’s safety. That choice is ultimately up each family.

Stay tuned in the coming days for any sort of weather-related business, school and community closings. We'll keep you updated as best as possible.