When the roads are snow-packed or icy, staff at Great Bend USD 428 make an early decision about whether to cancel school or not. This winter, Superintendent Khris Thexton said they may take a page from other districts’ playbook and consider a two-hour starting time delay in some cases.

“You hear districts around us having a two-hour delay. We’re going to keep that in our back pocket,” he told the school board last week. The delay allows crews more time to clear the roads for increased safety without losing a full day of school.

“It’s not something Great Bend’s been known to use,” he said, adding, “I don’t foresee it being a regular option.” Still, it is good to be flexible. Schools are required to be in session a certain number of days and a delayed start could mean fewer days to make up in the spring. If the option is used, students and teachers will start the day two hours later than usual. The morning session at Little Panthers Preschool will be canceled. School will end at the regular time.

Making the call

Thexton reviewed the decision process for snow days at the Dec. 8 school board meeting.

He said he doesn’t usually rely on forecasts, because snow is difficult to predict. But he does make an early morning check of the weather.

“A lot of times you know right away if you’re safe to continue,” he said.

To assess road conditions and determine the safety of passage, Thexton drives around the streets of northeast Great Bend at 4:30 a.m. Assistant Superintendent John Popp checks roads in southeast Great Bend, Maintenance Director Dirk Davis drives around northwest Great Bend and Transportation and Grounds Director Cody Schmidt drives around the southwest streets of Great Bend.

By 5:30 a.m., administrators have contacted the National Weather Service for information on storm cells and more.

By 5:55 a.m., the decision is made. School either proceeds as usual or the notification process is initiated by 6 a.m.

Notifications are sent to all staff members automatically through School Messenger. If School Messenger cannot be activated for some reason, there is a calling tree.

If school is to proceed as usual, there will be no notice on radio or television.

Snow Day Schedule for Maintenance, Transportation, Grounds, and Custodial Personnel

• On snow days, custodians report to work no later than 6 a.m.

• Maintenance and transportation personnel report as directed by supervisors.

• Maintenance staff delivers snow blowers to the buildings and help custodians clean sidewalks.

• Building custodians are responsible for tasks in the following order.

- Clean stoops.

- Clean sidewalks from building entrances to main sidewalks.

- Clean main sidewalks.

- Treat steps and sidewalks with snow melt to keep areas safe for walking.

Cory Chansler operates the large tractor and removes snow from the high school parking lot, cutback parking, and drives; the middle school parking lot and cutback parking; and the Jefferson parking lot. Chancy Schmidt operates the small tractor and removes snow from the parking lots at the District Education Center, Lincoln and Eisenhower. Dave Nokleby operates the skid loader and removes snow from the parking areas at the warehouse, central kitchen, Park, Washington, and Riley schools.

Earlier this year, the district also approved the use of an outside contractor for snow removal when needed.