Inclement Weather/School Closings

Late Start procedures will be implemented when there is clear evidence that if the start of the day is delayed approximately 2 hours, it will be safe to transport your child.

All schools will begin exactly 2 hours late. Bus routes will be adjusted, with pick‐up times starting 2 hours later than a regular school day. Child Development Centers at Barton Creek, Forest Trail and Valley View will start at 9 a.m.

Late Start Times (Approximate)

In the event of weather conditions deteriorating after school starts, there may be some occasions where it will be necessary to dismiss school two hours early to allow sufficient time for safe transportation of all students. Early dismissal notifications will be sent out as soon as the determination to close early is made.

The Child Development Centers at Barton Creek, Forest Trail and Valley View will close when the associated campus is dismissed. EanesCare will not operate.

Early Dismissal Times (Approximate)

The decision to postpone or cancel classes due to inclement weather is based on analysis of all available information at the time the critical decision to delay, close schools or release early must be made.

The information and sources considered include:

• Consultations with local emergency management, law enforcement and weather experts. In addition to monitoring local weather forecasts, Eanes ISD participates in Travis County emergency management conference calls. Calls are scheduled by county officials any time weather threatens the Central Texas region. Because the district is split between multiple municipalities, Eanes ISD monitors reporting from various entities in the event of expected inclement weather.

• Information on road and sidewalk conditions from transportation operations staff. Eanes ISD is 32-square miles consisting of varying terrain and road conditions. The transportation staff serves as the internal experts on area roads. Eyewitness reports from staff provide an invaluable addition to regional emergency management reports.

• Weather related disruption to facilities. Eanes ISD must evaluate any disruption to facilities that may prove hazardous, such as electrical, heat and water services. We do not want to hold classes if there is no heat or electricity.

• Current and projected weather conditions. Because students and staff walk, bike and ride in cars to school beginning as early as 5am, Eanes ISD evaluates current and predicted weather conditions after consulting with regional experts. Reports of accumulated, projected and clearing of road hazards are taken into consideration in the early morning hours.

• Staffing considerations. Most Eanes ISD staff live outside of the district, some as far away as Killeen or Seguin. Eanes ISD evaluates current and predicted weather conditions after consulting with regional experts and reports from staff. Reports of road hazards that would result in high staff absences are taken into consideration in the early morning hours.

• Consideration of neighboring school district and municipality decisions. Eanes ISD collaborates with area districts to gain a better understanding of how the entire region is affected by inclement weather conditions. While each district is unique, this partnership allows all districts to have a more complete understanding of weather conditions. Several staff members have children in Austin ISD, for example, which if delayed or closed, could affect staffing.

A team of district leadership gathers information and makes recommendations from the information and sources above. Ultimately, the Superintendent, or an Assistant Superintendent in the Superintendent’s absence, decides whether or not to modify the regular school schedule.

Whenever possible, Eanes ISD will make the decision and begin the notification process by 9pm the evening before possible inclement weather. The first buses leave the bus barn by 6:15am and those employees leave home much earlier, so it is preferable to notify of the delay or close to prevent staff and/or parents from driving on potentially hazardous roads. Additionally, early notification allows parents, guardians and staff to make informed travel and childcare decisions. 

Despite every effort to decide and notify the community early, weather can change rapidly. Sometimes notifications are later than what the district would prefer, but every effort is made to provide timely communication.

If an inclement weather event is predicted or unfolding in evening hours:

Announce the district’s observance of inclement weather and procedures.

• 2pm: Make a decision, when possible, whether after-school activities need to be canceled or adjusted in order to communicate prior to the end of school for elementary and departures for most after-school activities. Determine if EanesCare (CDC) programs should close early and communicate as necessary.

• 7pm: Monitor temperature and precipitation levels to project threat to roads, driveways and sidewalks.

• 9pm: Preferred deadline for decision to delay or close; communication will be sent if the temperature/precipitation model meets standard.

  • If the district cancels or adjusts the school day, staff and families will be notified by ParentSquare (text, email, app notification) if they are signed up to receive alerts.

If the delay/closure decision is not determined by 9pm, the district will continue to monitor during the evening and send communication as necessary. If information is not posted on the district website and/or you do not receive a call or email with delay or cancellation information, classes will go on as scheduled.
 

If the threat of inclement weather is predicted or unfolding in early morning hours:

• 3am: District leadership monitors temperature and precipitation levels to project threat to roads, driveways and sidewalks and analyzes information reported in regional conference calls.

• 5am: If the district cancels or adjusts the school day, staff and families will be notified by ParentSquare (text, email, app notification) if they are signed up to receive alerts. If information is not posted on the district website and/or you do not receive a call or email with delay or cancellation information, classes will go on as scheduled.

  • If changes occur, updates on delays or school closures will also be posted on the District website and social media.

  • At or below 32º and any chance of reported precipitation may result in a 2-hour delay.

If there is a cancellation or delay, staff and families will be notified by ParentSquare (text, email, app notification) if they are signed up to receive alerts. If you do not receive communication with delay or cancellation information, classes will go on as scheduled. If the district is continuing to monitor inclement weather, all contacts will be notified via email and encouraged to stay connected to the District’s website and social media for the latest news.

• If school is canceled or the start of the school day is delayed:

  • Parents, guardians and staff registered to receive messages from the District will receive communication the night before or by 5am that morning.

• Updates on school closures will also be posted on the District website and social media.

• The news media will be notified of school closures by 5:30am.

To update your preferences, visit ParentSquare, click on your name in the top right, select My Account, then Notification Settings. For more detailed instructions on updating your contact preferences, visit this help article.

Students are not typically released early unless there is reason to believe it is necessary to avoid potentially unsafe situations, such as an approaching ice storm. Students will not be sent out of a safe building into bad weather, especially since many students walk or ride bicycles. We do not want to risk sending students home unsupervised if parents or guardians are not typically home during the school day. 

In the event of an early release, staff and families will be notified by ParentSquare (text, email, app notification) if they are signed up to receive alerts. Staff will supervise all students until parents are able to pick them up. EanesCare programs may close early to allow staff time to get home; any changes to EanesCare hours will be communicated as necessary.

Eanes ISD currently has sufficient instructional minutes built into the academic calendar to cover at least two missed days. To ensure we meet state requirements regarding instructional minutes, the District will explore options to waive or make-up more than two bad weather days should they occur. If make-up days are required as a result of cancellations, communication will be sent to all stakeholders.