Policies–Inclement Weather Policy

Closure of Schools

1. The Director of Education, or designate, will make the decision whether a school will be closed or not. The Manager of Transportation Services, or, on occasion (see below), the Manager of Plant and Maintenance will advise the Director of Education, or designate as early as possible, of information he/she has received that would indicate a need to consider the closure of one or more schools. Similarly, school principals will advise the Director of Education, or designate, (even during "off" hours) of emergency situations that would indicate a need to consider the closure of a school.
2. As well as inclement weather conditions, schools may be closed as a result of failure of the physical plant (heating, electrical, water), or as a result of extreme cold (in consultation with the Medical Officer of Health).

Procedure For Reviewing These Administrative Procedures

1. These administrative procedures will be reviewed annually, during the spring term of each school year in preparation for the next school year.
2. To assist with this review, Transportation Services personnel, with the assistance of each Zone Captain, will log each instance of the cancellation of all, or a portion of, the school bus transportation system during each school year.

Recommendations To Facilitate The Operation Of Transportation Services

1. The Manager of Transportation Services should maintain contact with various media representatives to facilitate the processing of transportation announcements to the general public.
2. The Manager of Plant and Maintenance should maintain contact with the various private contractors for the removal of snow to ensure that the clearing of school bus loading areas, parking lots, and access areas is given priority. If contractors have been unable to clear school properties, the Manager of Plant and Maintenance shall inform the Manager of Transportation Services.
3. School bus operators should maintain contact with the various municipal Managers of Public Works to determine whether or not the clearing of snow from roads that provide access to schools has been possible.

Transportation Policy

Inclement Weather Policy

• Administrative procedures
• Zone boundaries
• Communications
• Procedures prior to regular school hours
• Procedures prior to regular school hours involving only fog
• Procedures for situations occuring during a route
• Procedures for situations occuring during the school day
• Procedures for situations necessitating the cancelling of late buses
• Closure of schools