Snow days: How and when schools make the call

SANDUSKY — Ohio's winter months are often brutal.During these cold months, student safety comes first for schools.Ohio switched from counting school days to counting hours in 2014, so school districts no longer have calamity days, for which three to five days were set aside.The Ohio Department of Education's updated guidelines are as follows:• 1,001 hours for students in grades 7-12• 910 hours for full-day kindergarten through sixth-grade students• 455 hours are required for half-day kindergarten studentsWithin the past week, all school districts in the Register's coverage area have either delayed or canceled school due to weather conditions or hazardous temperatures. When officials decide to either delay or cancel classes, districts send out "one call" automated phone messages to district families, an email or post to Facebook and Twitter. The Register receives these forms of communication to inform the public on its website and Facebook page. Three administrators of area school districts shared how they decide to delay or cancel school.Sandusky SchoolsDistrict chief of staff and transformation officer, Stephen Sturgill, said most decisions are made between 5:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. or earlier when possible. They rely on sources like local weather channels, district staff, area road crews and local law enforcement when to decide.In addition to temperature, the wind chill, the amount of accumulated snow and ice and upcoming forecasts are considered factors that can impact transportation. This includes school buses' diesel fuel, school parking lot conditions, and other factors, including if district buildings have electricity, heat and water and how the weather will impact student achievement and parents needing to find childcare or take time off of work.Perkins SchoolsPerkins Schools superintendent Todd Boggs makes his decision by 5:30 a.m. For help, he looks at forecasts, consults with colleagues at Perkins Schools, and drives around the district. He also consults with other area superintendents."It's a combination of temperature and the amount of snow," district spokesperson Jeff Stacklin said.Huron SchoolsSuperintendent Dennis Muratori said district personnel assess road conditions as early as 4 a.m."We are in communication with city, county and neighboring school districts as part of the decision-making process," he said. "Advances in radar and weather forecasts provide us with additional tools when making decisions about the status of school."Muratori noted how Huron Schools began to incorporate two-hour delays in 2014 when the forecast predicts a substantial improvement in weather conditions."We realize how quickly weather on the north coast can change," he said. "Therefore, a delay plan is a valuable option in the decision-making process."With temperature, Muratori said wind chills close to -20 degrees will delay or cancel school, since some students walk to and from school or need to wait for a bus in the morning."We understand that changes in school schedules create a tremendous burden on families," he said. "The decision to delay or close school will be made only when it is a necessity. We are committed to making the best possible decision with the information we have in the early morning hours. My goal is to reach a decision about delaying or closing by 5:30 a.m."Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com, follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood and on Facebook.com/CaitliNearhoodIn this 2014 photo, footprints are in the snow near a mound of plowed snow outside Ontario School. Ohio schools now counts hours, not days, to comply with state law.