MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Shelby County Schools is bracing for this round of cold winter weather like everyone else.
Wednesday, Business Operations Chief Hitesh Haria explained the district’s decision-making process for closing schools.
Haria said there’s no specific temperature that requires schools to close, and there are a variety of factors, including road and sidewalk conditions, power outages, wind, and more, to consider.
“You’d look at the wind chill factor and look at how cold it would get, would there be frostbite, all that sort of stuff,” Haria said.
Haria said the district tries to make decisions about school closures the night before. If not, staff members begin checking out the roads between one and three in the morning.
SCS announces school closures by 5 in the morning at the latest.
Haria explained that if students can safely get to school, SCS wants them to be there for a variety of reasons.
“The heat is at school, the education is at school, We want them, if it’s safe for them to get to school and from school, we want them to be at school,” Haria said.
Still, many parents are concerned about this bitter cold.
“When it’s over cold, some do have to walk to school,” parent Gabrielle Mitchell said.
Haria said the district also runs a coats and hats program to give students access to winter weather gear if they’re unable to afford them.
Haria also said bus drivers are instructed to warm up buses before picking up students. If there are problems, there are mechanics and spare buses available.