Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) trustees have given the director of education decision-making authority to keep schools open or closed when the Environment Canada wind chill index reaches minus-35 celsius.
At the Nov. 24 board meeting, trustees debated a report from trustees Barb White and Martha MacNeil outlining suggested revisions to the board’s inclement weather and school closure procedure.
The board decided the working procedure would be amended to state that in consultation with the Wellington Catholic District School Board and board chairs, the UGDSB director “may” choose to close schools when the wind chill index reaches minus-35.
The previous procedure prescribed that schools “must” close at that temperature.
At the business operations committee meeting on Nov. 10, board chair Mark Bailey explained director of education Martha Rogers brought the issue to the board’s attention after she closed schools last year due to temperatures that were below the accepted level, despite it being a sunny day with no travel hazards.
“Ultimately the discussion we had was the importance of communication,” White explained.
“Communicating effectively will bring many less phone calls I think if parents understand.”
The Nov. 24 motion also recommended that staff identify practices for municipal crossing guards in inclement weather and school closures. The findings will be posted on each of the school’s websites so parents will be able to make an informed decision about sending their child to school.
The trustees also voted in favour of creating a bus cancellation and school closure document that can be available on UGDSB and school websites.
