WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Winter weather can bring about cancellations for larger school districts like Wausau Schools.
With inclement weather approaching, many families may be wondering if their children will have school canceled. In the Wausau School District, determining a cancellation or a delay is a multistep process with several factors included.
Amy Arlen, the district’s Communications Coordinator describes the different factors that go into deciding to cancel school for the area. “The Wausau School District begins conversations with [the] Marathon County Highway Department, with law enforcement, other school districts. Meteorologist service that in which we subscribe. And we talk to our bus provider our yellow school bus provider which is First Student.”
The concern with the weather over the next three to four days in Wausau is dangerously cold temperatures. While there isn’t a set temperature for when it’s too cold for students to go to school, Arlen says if parents feel it’s not safe for their child to go to school, they should keep them at home. “However we always tell parents if they feel that it’s unsafe to send their child to school, that they keep their child home and call the school. And they will receive an excused absence.”
The district begins looking at sending out a cancellation or delay the night before. Arlen says the district wants to give a heads up to parents well in advance. “So the night before is optimal if weather conditions and the information we have points to that direction of canceling. Otherwise, in the morning, we don’t like to call beyond 6 AM. We like to have that decision made prior to 6 AM.”
When school is canceled the Wausau District does have a makeup day built in on the first Friday in May. With Monday being a cancellation for the district, that first Friday of May will be a school day. But any additional days will need to be made up either at the end of the school year or by extending school hours for a period of time.
As of Monday evening’s board of education meeting, Arlen says the District will be open on Tuesday for classes. She says when students return to school tomorrow they will find “warm classrooms and hot food at lunch.”
