ACSD Winter Weather Reminders 2025-2026

We are now into the time of year when our team will need to pay closer attention to changes in weather and resulting impacts on our ability to have school.  School days may be canceled or delayed for a variety of weather related events.  When winter weather is expected, several members of our team are prepared to drive area roads to monitor and make determinations about the ability of our buses to safely transport students to/from school.  Sometimes this is a very difficult call.  In addition to the current road conditions, we have to take into account the timing of the weather event and how continued snow or freezing rain will impact travel conditions.

Wind chill and extremely cold temperatures are also cause for decisions to be made. School delays or cancellations may be called when ambient temperature and/or wind chill consistently stays at -10 degrees F or below for several hours during typical bus pickup/school hours of operations. Generally, the National Weather Service will issue a Wind Chill Advisory or a Wind Chill Warning when this occurs. Some discretion may be used in determining what decision to make, as Advisories may be called at -5 degrees F. 

If we must cancel school, the first five days will be forgiven. Days 6 and 7 would be made up on April 3rd & 6th.  Should 8 or more days be missed, the board of education will adopt a plan to make up the missed class time, which may require additional days at the end of the school year in May/June.

There may be some instances where we can run buses on all routes, except for a few individual roads.  We will attempt to arrange for common pickup/drop off areas as best as we can on those days.  If school transportation cannot come down your road due to the conditions, your student is considered excused from school, and staff will help your student to recover any missed learning.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we start into this winter season.

In addition to phone calls, email and text messages to parents/guardians of students currently enrolled in the district, delay and cancellation information is also available to the public via the free modes listed below.

• District Website athenscsd.org   
• District Facebook Page @AthensCitySD

Sincerely,

Chad Springer

Superintendent
Athens City School District