School Closing Policy

When are decisions made?
A decision to cancel school may occur between 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. the night before school. In most instances, no later than 6:30 a.m. the next day. In an extreme emergency, we may have to announce early dismissal during the school day.
 
School closings will be communicated in the following ways:
  • SchoolMessenger Phone/Email System/Text Messaging
  • TV Stations – Channels 19, 25, 31, and 43
  • Local Radio Stations - All local stations
  • Dunlap School District Voicemail System
  • Notification on www.dunlapcusd.net
  • Dunlap Facebook page -www.facebook.com/CUSD323

Emergency Closings

School emergency closings could happen at any time of the year. Parents need to arrange plans with their children (a neighbor, childcare, employer, etc.) on what is expected should an emergency closing occur. Decisionsfor closure, delayed start or todismiss school early are always a judgment call; however, we do use some general criteria in making such decisions. School procedures call for an emergency school closing announcement to be given over local radio and television media. Below are some of the criteria and examples of what would impact a decision to cancel school, delay start or dismiss school early.

Delayed Start

There may be times when the weather is such that delaying the start of school by two hours would provide for a safer environment for our students and staff. If the district decides to implement a delayed start for the school day, all notifications will be sent in the same manner as the closing of school.

Weather Forecasts

Weather conditions and events are very unpredictable. We generally do not cancel school or dismiss school early solely on a weather forecast. Weather events must be occurring and deteriorating for school to be cancelled or for us to dismiss early.

Snow

Generally speaking, snow is not a primary reason for closing school. As long as roads are not drifting shut, it’s possible we would have school even with a sizable snowfall.

Road Conditions

As referenced above, road conditions dictate many of our decisions. Due to the fact the district is widely spread out, we have an early morning process (before 5:00 a.m.) of checking our rural and cityroads.

Cold

We will look at wind chill and air temperature (also road conditions) when making a decision relating to cold weather. Please remember that we do live in central Illinois so below 0 degree weather is not uncommon.