Weather information is gathered from many sources including numerous web-based weather sites, traditional media outlets, communications with state and county road maintenance crews and police, shared information amongst all regional counties such as St. Mary’s, Charles, Anne Arundel, and Prince George’s, and internet messaging amongst 20 counties in Maryland and Virginia for the most up-to-date information. Additionally, our local Emergency Operation Center provides conference calls with the National Weather Service and all Maryland counties in the cases of our most severe weather such as an impending hurricane, ice storm, or blizzard. Information is also gathered by 3 members of the Transportation Staff who ride pre-selected routes in southern, central, and northern Calvert County beginning at 2:30 a.m. or earlier when a morning storm is anticipated or in progress.
Weather, unlike a power outage, is not confined to a single area and can affect different parts of our county differently. Therefore, the most severe weather conditions within the county are used as the basis for decision-making. A uniform procedure to close all schools is maintained so that the school system can respond quickly to emergency weather conditions and protect the safety and well-being of all students, staff, parents, and community members.
In the following video, the Director of Transportation explains how data is collected from multiple sources so the Superintendent of Schools can make an informed decision on school delays, early releases and closures due to inclement weather.
The decision to close schools because of inclement weather is always for the entire system. To close by area would mean students living in a less affected area might be unable to attend their school and vice-versa. This creates unequal access to the instructional programs and making sure each student receives 180 state-required days of school becomes difficult. Schools must be accessible for all students to be given the ability to equitably participate in instructional programs. Also, it is illegal to deny transportation to special education students living in a closed school area to their school in an open school area.
The decision to cancel school, start late or close early because of inclement weather is complicated and based on many factors such as:
Safety of students and employees on the road and at bus stops
Current and forecasted weather conditions – if the decision is made prior to dawn, how conditions will change when the sun comes up are factored in
Road conditions, including road treatments of sand and salt
Road and air temperature
Electrical and heating service in the schools
Impact to the community
Impact to the educational process
Every effort will be made to make a decision to delay or close schools by 5:00 a.m. In order to start schools on time, the first buses must be on the road by 6:00 a.m. In order to close schools two hours early, every effort will be made to make a decision by 10:45 a.m.
