Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary consideration when school is delayed or closed due to weather?
Decisions are based on a variety of conditions. These include ice, snowfall, blowing snow, wind chill, and actual temperature. However, student safety in our buildings and during travel to/from school are the most important factors in the decision to delay or close schools.

• Buildings - We must ensure buildings have power and the ability to provide heat and light. Buildings are also assessed for damage, such as downed trees, water damage, etc. Parking lots, driveways, and walkways must be safe for drivers and walkers.
• Travel - We must access whether or not it is safe for buses to navigate their routes, for students to wait at bus stops, and for staff and students to drive or walk to school. We look at this in terms of the morning arrival and afternoon departure.

Who makes the decision to delay or close school?
The Superintendent is responsible for making this decision. Before doing so, he contacts the the Director of Facilities for an assessment of conditions in and around the buildings and Reliance Student Transportation for an assessment of road conditions on the bus routes. The Superintendent may also consult with the National Weather Service, local weather forecasters, area law enforcement, and township managers.

Why are schools sometimes closed before the weather is actually bad?
When bad weather is anticipated, multiple sources are consulted. The District must have confidence that the conditions are safe for bus travel for a full two-hour window to transport students to school and a full two-hour window to transport students home from school. At times, the District must rely on forecasts alone. In that case, multiple sources are consulted, and occasionally, they are wrong.

Why are schools sometimes closed for extreme cold?
Sometimes the temperatures are so extremely low that the safety of students waiting at bus stops and walking to school must be considered. If the safety of students is in jeopardy, a decision to close schools may be made. On the other hand, consideration must also be given to the fact that some students may be warmer at school than at home.

Why could a school be closed due to a power outage?
Student safety is the primary concern. If there is a possibility that heat or electricity will not be available to one or more buildings during the school day, the decision may be made to close schools.

Why are other school districts around the county sometimes closed and York Suburban is not?
Every school district has its unique geographic considerations, and many have more rural bus routes than York Suburban which can be challenging to navigate in bad weather.

Will I get a call after a school closure to notify me that schools are returning to a regular schedule?
No. We reserve the use of district notifications for emergency schedule changes only.

Will the graduation be moved if school is closed due to the weather?
It is unlikely that the District will move the graduation date. The Board and administration recognize that this event is very special and that families plan well in advance for the special event. It would only be in very rare circumstances involving an inordinate number of inclement weather closures throughout the school year that the District may be required to move graduation to ensure students have enough instruction time.