How We Decide: Winter Weather and School Closures at Willmar Public Schools

Well, winter weather has suddenly arrived! As this is my first year at Willmar Public Schools making the decision on whether school will be in session or not, I thought it would be helpful to share some background on how these decisions are made. Here’s an outline of the process:

Cold Weather Related

Occasionally, schools are closed due to excessively cold weather. While I hope we won't experience extreme temperatures this year, I want to remind everyone of the guiding principals we follow when making decisions about school closures due to cold weather.

Our school buses are housed indoors and are in excellent condition. In the unlikely event of mechanical failure during cold weather, we have backup buses ready to assist quickly.

When deciding, I consider wind chill, actual temperatures, and frostbite time frames. I rely on the National Weather Service (NWS) Wind Chill Chart as a guide. If frostbite times are in the 30-minute range, and other factors such as snowfall, visibility, and road conditions are acceptable, my recommendation will be to hold school as scheduled.

By operating within these wind chill parameters, we prioritize student safety while also ensuring opportunities to continue learning on regularly scheduled days.

I encourage parents to ensure their children are dressed appropriately for winter, especially during extreme cold. Whether in kindergarten or 12th grade, all students should wear proper winter clothing, including mittens and hats, before heading out.

Ultimately, if school remains open on days with negative wind chills, the decision to send a child to school rests with the parents. Families face different circumstances, and a single decision made by the superintendent may not address every situation. If parents choose to keep their children home due to inclement weather, and schools in the area are closing due to inclement weather, the absence will be considered excused.

Please make certain that your alert system information (Infinite Campus) is up to date as we rely on this system to communicate messages regarding school closures.

Precipitation Related

When extreme precipitation events are forecasted or underway, the Superintendent works closely with the transportation company, county road officials, and area school districts to determine the best course of action to ensure student safety. While input is gathered from neighboring districts, each district ultimately makes its own decision based on local road conditions and visibility.

When possible, decisions regarding school closures or delays will be made the evening prior, ideally by 10:00 PM. However, this is not always feasible due to changing conditions. If a decision cannot be made the night before, we will strive to communicate it by 6:00 AM.
Weather announcements will be delivered through the following channels, either in order or, in some cases, simultaneously:

1. Infinite Campus Messenger System – Please ensure your contact information is up to date.
2. Social Media – Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
3. District Website – Updates will be posted promptly.
4. Television News Stations
5. Radio Stations

These general guidelines help determine school closures during extreme cold or inclement weather. Ultimately, the decision to send a child to school on such days rests with parents. Given the diverse circumstances across our district, a single decision by the Superintendent may not accommodate every family’s unique situation. If parents decide to keep their children home due to weather conditions while schools remain open, the absence will be excused if schools in the area are closing due to inclement weather.

I hope this information provides clarity and helps you plan accordingly. Stay safe and enjoy the upcoming winter weather!