School Closures & Delays

Delayed Start / School Closures 

 

The superintendent may close schools due to severe weather or emergencies (e.g., icy roads, flooding, power failures, etc.).  If a weather or emergency situation causes a delayed start or closure of schools BISD will notify parents using our website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, BISD App, and the area media outlets.

 

Have you ever wondered how decisions are made regarding school closures in BISD? 

 

- When we first learn of major weather heading in our direction we begin to carefully monitor the weather situation.  We also open lines of communication with our county and city officials.   

 

- During the day and evening prior to any forecasted major weather event we consider the need to close school the following day.  This is ideal because it enables all of our stakeholders to plan ahead; however, this is often not possible. 

 

- Beginning around 4:00 a.m. administrators, including the Director of Transportation and the Superintendent travel bus routes and several key roads and bridges in the district. Consultation with our Maintenance and Operations department also begins at this time. 

 

 - Between 4:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. District leaders consult with TXDOT, Bandera County Emergency Management, and City of Bandera to make an informed decision on the safety of road conditions.  The safety of our students, parents and staff guide any decision to delay or cancel school due to inclement weather and this decision is informed by reliable information from these sources.
 

- It is the goal of BISD to make a delayed start or school closure determination by 5:30 a.m.  

- Between 5:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. area media is contacted and notifications are posted on our website, Facebook and BISD App If it is determined that the conditions are unsafe for travel and warrant a late start or cancellation of classes 

 

- If you do not see a school cancellation on our website, Facebook, or the BISD app by 6:00 a.m., then schools are open on the normal schedule. For the best and most up to date information we encourage parents to check our website and social media, listen to the local radio and check San Antonio television stations rather than call the campuses.  

 

The standard assumption is that school is open unless a closure or delayed start notification is publicized through the noted media channels. We take the decision to cancel school very seriously.  We will only do so if it is deemed absolutely necessary for safety, as that is our highest priority.   We will not provide notifications when we are operating under normal hours and procedures. 

 

Weather and road conditions will vary significantly within the district.  School delay and closure decisions are made in consultation with transportation experts to determine the district’s ability to safely transport students.  Even when inclement weather does not call for a delayed start or school closure please closely monitor your local road and weather conditions to determine that travel to school is safe for your family.