October 19, 2023

The Brookville Area School District will no longer be using television and radio to announce weather related delays and closures. The administration surveyed parents last year and asked how they received information about delays and closures. Only one out of 300 respondents looked to television and radio. Going forward, the district will rely on its robocalls, texts and emails to families, as well as the district website and Facebook.

The superintendent continually monitors road and weather conditions. That includes inspecting surfaces, checking temperatures and reviewing forecasts, as well as communicating with road crews, transportation staff and neighboring school districts. Dr. Erich May takes into account those considerations and more when deciding whether school should be delayed, closed or dismissed early.

When school is delayed, buses and vans will operate two (2) hours later than the normal schedule. Depending on conditions, it is possible that a two hour delay will become a closure. It is also possible for school to be held with modified bus routes. The transportation department will attempt to notify affected families by phone whenever a bus is not going to run its entire route.

Brookville Area School District has been approved for up to five (5) remote learning days, which are also called Flexible Instruction Days (FIDs). FIDs are used on days when school is closed for bad weather. It is likely, however, that the district will have one true snow day when classes will be cancelled and the day will be made up in May.

Outside of one traditional snow day, other days when schools are closed will be remote learning days (FIDs) when students are expected to get on their computers and/or do school work that was provided in advance. Depending on conditions, the traditional snow day may or may not be the first day that school is closed for weather. If, for instance, school is closed for an ice storm, families can expect a remote learning day. “It’s the fluffy white stuff that we want for a true snow day,” said Dr. May.

It is more important than ever that the district have updated contact information for parents and families. Parents and guardians are asked to call their child’s school with changes to phone numbers and email addresses.