Stevensville School District

INSTRUCTION 

School Closure Procedure

All students, parents, and school employees should assume that school will be in session and buses running as scheduled, unless there is official notification from the Superintendent to the contrary. Such notice will be given via public media.

In the event extremely cold temperatures, wind chill factors, snow, wind, community disasters, public health emergency, or other circumstances require a modification of the normal routine, the Superintendent will make the modification decision prior to 6:00 a.m. and contact the public radio stations for broadcast to the community and will initiate the fan-out communication procedure to all administrators.

The provisions of this procedure may be terminated, amended, or adjusted, by the Board of Trustees in the event of circumstances requiring extended school closure due to a declaration of emergency.

Work Schedules and Responsibilities for School Closures

Superintendent

The Superintendent or Board of Trustees has authority to close schools. The Superintendent will be on duty throughout any existing or potential emergency situation, day or night. All orders of doubtful origin should be confirmed with the Superintendent.

Central Administrative Personnel

Central administrative personnel will be expected to report for duty on their assigned shifts in the event of any school closure, insofar as is safely possible, unless otherwise directed by the Superintendent or designee. Additional hours may be required, especially of the maintenance supervisor, business manager, and personnel director, depending on the nature of the emergency.

Building-Level Administrators, Non-Teaching “Exempt” Personnel, and Identified Support Staff

All building-level administrators and non-teaching “exempt” personnel will report for duty per their normal shifts or as otherwise directed each day during the school closure, together with the head custodian and at least one (1) secretary, insofar as is safely possible. The building administrator will ascertain that the building has been adequately secured and that any child who mistakenly reports to school is properly and safely cared for and returned home per District policy. The administrator and this minimal support staff shall notify other staff and/or other support employees of the situation and will respond to telephone questions. Staff will be advised of schedule for the day by immediate supervisor.

12-Month Classified Employees

In the event of school closure, 12-month classified personnel may report for duty or not report for duty, as directed by their immediate supervisor. Building secretaries and secretaries to central administrative personnel who are required to be on duty are expected to report for duty. If a 12-month classified employee is unable to or does not report for duty, the employee will complete a leave request form to declare the day as personal leave, vacation, or leave without pay.

10- and 11- Month Classified Employees

Ten- and 11-moth employees may report for duty or not report for duty as directed by their immediate supervisor. If such employees do not report for duty, they will complete a District leave request form to declare the day as personal leave, vacation, or leave without pay.

Aides, Food Service Workers, and Other 9 ¼-Month Classified Employees

These employees work only those days school is in session and are not expected to work when school is not in session. If school has been closed, 9 ¼ -month employees should not report for duty unless otherwise directed by their immediate supervisor. 9 ¼- month employees will complete a leave request form to declare the day as personal leave, vacation, or leave without pay.

Teachers (Teachers, Librarians, Psychologists, Counselors)

If schools are closed for weather or other emergency conditions, teachers are not expected to report for duty unless directed otherwise. Teachers do not need to submit an absence form. In cases of school closures, it is customary for the days to be made up at another time; thus teachers will typically still fulfill their contract days.

Policy History:
Adopted on: February 2002
Reviewed on: July 12, 2022
Revised on: June 2011; August 9, 2022