Delay, Closing, or Early Dismissal of Schools Due to Inclement Weather
| Radio Stations |
Television Stations |
WMNC: 92.1 FM
WCIS: 760 AM
WHKY: 1290 AM
WNNC/WAIZ: 1230 AM
WKVS: 103.3 FM/1080 AM
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www.burke.k12.nc.us Burke County Public Schools' Weather Hotline
828-433-8047 |
In the case of inclement or severe weather, local radio stations are notified: WMNC (92.1 FM), WCIS (760 AM), WHKY (1290 AM), WNNC/WAIZ (1230/630 AM), and WKVS (103.3 FM).
Parents and students are requested to listen to one of these radio stations as the source of information concerning delay, closing, or early dismissal of Burke County Public Schools.
Secondary sources of information are the following television stations: WBTV (Channel 3), NBC 6, WSPA (Channel 7), WSOC (Channel 9), and WLOS (Channel 13) and WCCB (Fox News), or call the school system's weather number 828-433-8047. The closing information is also listed on our website - www.burke.k12.nc.us.
Parents of students and school personnel with active phone numbers will also be notified with a phone call using our AlertNow System.
School personnel who remain in continuous contact with the local law enforcement and the Highway Patrol always monitor weather conditions. The decision to close or delay school is made by school officials between 5:00 – 5:30 a.m. The local media will be notified of any school cancellation, early dismissal, or delay and given information of alternate schedules or other pertinent information. If these media sources are not announcing information concerning Burke County Public Schools, then the schools operate on a normal schedule.
Parents who have children in the Burke County Public Schools Child Care Programs should note that the childcare programs follow the school system's policy on severe weather. If school is cancelled, then the childcare program will be cancelled. A decision to hold extracurricular events will be made on a case-by-case basis (weather conditions may clear later in the day).
When the decision is made to have school on a two-hour delay, we will announce if the delay is for students only or for students and staff. Many times the TV stations will not make this distinction, so if there is a two-hour delay you might want to tune to a local radio station or call the school system's weather number 433-8047. Please remember that when we have a two-hour delay our buses are on the road as early as 7:30 a.m. That would basically be the time that most faculty and staff come to work.
On an optional workday, if any employee feels that the roads are unsafe to travel, the school district will work with the employee to make up the day at another time. Safety of our students and staff is our top priority!
In preparation of the winter season, the following procedures will be utilized as part of the Burke County Public Schools Inclement Weather Plan.
A. School Closings. When students do not attend school due to weather conditions, one of three options will be available to employees:
1) Optional Teacher Workday - Ten-month employees will have the option of reporting to work, taking annual leave, having a full day’s deduction if they do not have annual leave, or making-up the absence according to state personnel policy guidelines. Each employee will have to determine if conditions are safe enough to come to school or work.
2) Closed for Students and Instructional Staff - All ten-month instructional staff will be forced to take annual leave or have a full day’s salary deduction. The student make-up day will be scheduled elsewhere in the school calendar, possibly on a day previously designated as annual leave/vacation. Instructional personnel will have the option to make-up the day on an agreed time, either on a school-by-school basis or on a system wide make-up day. Twelve-month employees will report to work, take annual leave, or take a full day’s salary deduction.
3) Closed for Everyone - The third option will be to declare the school system closed for all staff. In this case, all employees will be forced to take an annual leave day or a full day’s salary deduction with the option to make-up the day at a designated time.
Unless it is a situation where we have buildings that are unusable due to conditions such as leaking pipes or power outages, option 1 will most likely be selected. This will give personnel the opportunity to decide on the use of leave days. Options two and three would be reserved for unusable facilities and situations where it is felt impractical to open the schools. The board of education will have final authority in determining the make-up schedule for missed days. We will use make-up days as established in the school calendar, when possible, and make other scheduling arrangements for staff that wish to make-up time.
B. Early Dismissal. When school is dismissed early due to inclement conditions or other emergency situations, all ten-month employees are to remain at school until students are adequately cared for at each individual school. Staff members may be dismissed at that time by their principal, if conditions merit such a dismissal. The principal may also work with staff members who live farther away and allow them to leave as soon as possible while other staff members who live closer to the school remain and assist with the dismissal of students. Even with the best efforts in notifying parents, some children will remain at school for an extended period of time. Principals should have a plan in place to provide for adequate supervision for the students left at school until released to their parents or guardians.
All twelve-month employees are expected to remain for their regular working day until dismissed by the Superintendent due to severe weather. If twelve-month employees decide to leave earlier than their regular workday, annual leave or appropriate leave will be charged.
C. Delay Start. When school is delayed due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances, all ten-month employees are expected to arrive at school at the earliest and safest time. Many parents will usually bring children early in the morning. Therefore, administrators will need assistance from their staff in providing for students as they arrive. Procedures should be in place to accommodate these children. Under no circumstances should children remain outside on very cold and/or snowy mornings. If ten-month employees elect to arrive late, then they should work with their supervisor to make-up the time or have a salary deduction for the time missed. Twelve-month employees are expected to arrive at their normal time. Again, failure to report to work will result in leave being charged.
D. Safety. Everyone should exercise caution and use good judgment in making the decisions about school closing/early dismissal/delay start situations. Specific questions should be directed to the principal.