COLUMBUS, Ohio — The winter season brings colder temperatures and, eventually, accumulating snow to Columbus and central Ohio. Sometimes, the weather can be harsh enough for schools to delay start times or even close.
What does it take for schools to call a snow day?
Superintendents and other school district officials say various factors play into calling a snow day, also refered to as a "calamity day." Those include: timing of the snow/sleet/freezing rain, temperatures, wind chills, road conditions, impacts on transportation and the conditions of school buildings.
South-Western City Schools, the fifth largest school district in the state, said at 2 a.m. the morning of the weather event, their maintenance team begins preparing the lots and shoveling the snow accumulation. Around 4-5 a.m., the administrative team drives the area of the district to survey the conditions.
utilizes a 35-member team to go out and assess the roads around 2 a.m. the morning of the weather event. This time covers the 119 square miles the district spans.
Most districts say they try to make the call whether or not to cancel classes no later than 5:30 the morning of school. In some cases, the decision is made well in advance, such as the night before.
"As far as temps, the National Weather Service determines that -15[degrees] consistent wind chill is a dangerous level, so that's what we look for," Westerville City Schools Superintendent Joe Clark told 10TV. "But it varies. You have to consider all the kids walking to school, student drivers, when our bus starts, all those things."
Once the decision is made to delay or cancel, school officials will contact parents via phone and email messages, social media posts and through local news organizations.
Is remote learning an option, instead of snow days, for Ohio Schools?
Most school districts no longer use remote learning when it comes to snow days. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce has guidance in place for when blended/remote learning should be used and weather-related closures is not a reason provided.
"Our most treasured asset that we have in addition to the opportunity to have instructional time is having you know face to face where a student can ask a teacher a question," said Evan Debo with South-Western City Schools told 10TV. "Having that daily interaction with our administrative staff, seeing their peers, so we know again the value of being in person, being present."
Columbus City Schools and Marysville Schools have rules where if too many classes are canceled remote learning options are put in place. For Columbus, teachers may assign "E-Day Lessons" or “Blizzard Bags” as part of remote learning to make up for lost time in the classroom. The district says the plan would go into effect once a school has gone under the required number of hours by state law.
How many snow days/calamity days do schools in Ohio get?
In Ohio, schools are not required to be in session for a certain number of days, but they are required to provide a minimum number of hours of instruction each school year.
Schools must provide 455 hours of instruction for students in half-day kindergarten, 910 hours for students in full-day kindergarten through grade 6; and 1,001 hours for students in grades 7-12.
Most school districts create school schedules that include more than the minimum number of hours so that even when they have to cancel school because of dangerous weather or other issues, they still meet the state's minimum hour requirements.
This means there is no set number of allowable snow days in Ohio. That number will vary by district, depending on how many hours the schools have scheduled for the school year.
If a school district has to cancel so many days that it slips below the minimum number of required hours for the year, school officials have to extend the school year to make up the difference.
Click the links below to see how some central Ohio school districts determine closing and delays during winter weather events.
Weather Resources: Interactive Radar | Watches & Warnings | Closings & Delays