The Superintendent may
close the schools or dismiss them early in the event of hazardous weather or
other emergencies that threaten the health or safety of students and
personnel. While it may be prudent, under certain circumstances, to
excuse all students from attending school, to delay the opening hour or to
dismiss students early, the Superintendent has the responsibility to see that
as much of the administrative, supervisory, and operational activity is
continued as may be possible. Therefore, if conditions affect only a
single school, only that school will be closed.
In making the decision
to close schools, the Superintendent will consider many factors, including the
following principle ones relating to the fundamental concern for the safety and
health of the children:
1. Weather conditions, both existing and predicted.
2. Driving, traffic, and parking conditions
affecting public and private transportation facilities.
3. Actual occurrence or imminent possibility of any
emergency condition that would make the operation of schools difficult or
dangerous.
4. Inability of teaching personnel to report for duty,
which might result in inadequate supervision of students.
The Superintendent
will weigh these factors and take action to close the schools only after
consultation with public works and public safety authorities and with school
officials from neighboring towns. Students, parents/guardians, and staff will be
informed early in each school year of the procedures that will be used to
notify them in case of emergency closings. When schools are closed for
emergency reasons, staff members will comply with School Committee policy in
reporting for work.
SOURCE:
MASC
LEGAL
REFS.: M.G.L. 71:4; 71:4A