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.
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
These administrative procedures will be reviewed annually, during
the spring term of each school year in preparation for the next school
year.
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
The Manager of Transportation Services should maintain contact with
various media representatives to facilitate the processing of transportation
announcements to the general public.
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.
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.
