With record-breaking snowfall this season, many students ponder what goes into the decision-making process by Superintendent Dr. Thomas Hensley and the school district to determine whether to cancel school for the day or to have a delay.

The Process

At 4:00 a.m. on a school day with impending weather, Dr. Hensley checks weather websites and watches meteorologists on television.

Around 5:00 a.m., Dr. Hensley speaks to the bus drivers and other transportation advisors who tell him how the roads are. They recommend either a full day of school, a delay, or a full snow day. He also talks to neighboring superintendents from other schools and takes their decision-making into account.

“At around 5:30 the decision has to be made,” Dr. Hensley said. “Many times people don’t understand, why do we have to make it that early? We do this because we have our first bus leaving at 6 o’clock.”

Student Perspective

Some students have mixed opinions on school closings due to weather.
Senior Noah Whitlock considers graduating earlier as more important than having a few snow days off.

“I don’t like having off school,” said Whitlock. “I’m looking forward to graduating on time and not having to change my plans for Senior Week.”

Senior Seth Heidlebaugh also agreed with Whitlock’s opinion.

“I would like to graduate on time,” said Heidlebaugh. “Personally, I don’t want to go down to Senior Week for the weekend and then have to drive back to Glen Rock and graduate, then drive back down.”

Other students, especially underclassmen, who don’t have graduation to worry about, have been enjoying the snow days off and don’t mind being off.

Senior Cody Allred offered a more positive look at snow days.

“We don’t have school on snow days, and I truly have nothing to complain about,” said Allred. “I enjoy it; I get to ride sleds behind my friend’s car.”

While this isn’t the safest activity to do on snow days, it sure does offer a different perspective.