Closing school due to inclement weather is one of the most difficult decisions a superintendent makes, involving the educational needs of the students, family childcare arrangements, and transportation safety. 

Before making the decision, the superintendent receives data from district employees about the weather conditions across the 71 square miles of the district, in an attempt to gather the most reliable information possible. The superintendent also receives a professional weather service report by 4:30 a.m. and then confers with area superintendents via conference call regarding possible school closure. 

The superintendent specifically evaluates the amount of snowfall, current road conditions and the potential for icing, temperature, timing and duration of the storm, the safety of student drivers, the readiness of school parking lots and sidewalks, and availability of buses and drivers. 

On any day when the weather is a concern, parents/guardians may choose to delay the arrival of their children to school, not send them on that day, or pick them up early during the day.

The decision to cancel school is typically made by 6:00 a.m. and immediately communicated to staff, students and parents/guardians in a number of ways, including via email, automated phone call, text message, district website, and district social media. Notification to TV stations is also part of our process, but should not be relied on as the only source for this information. While it is preferable to make the decision the night before, it is not usually possible. Please make sure you are signed up to receive alerts from the district (general and emergency notifications).

Beginning in the 2019-20 school year, we will utilize a late start option for days when a delay would allow for better weather conditions at bus stops and during drop-off/walking times. If this option is utilized by the district, parents/guardians will receive a notification the night before. Additionally, the following information will apply to the two hour late start option:

• All school start times will be two hours later than a normal school day.
  • Elementary Schools will start at 10:00 a.m.
  • Middle Schools will start at 10:10 a.m.
  • High School will start at 10:05 a.m.
• If the delayed start day falls on a PLC Day, the PLC will be canceled and all schools will begin two hours later and release at the normal time. Any personal appointments previously scheduled during the PLC Day will be excused.
  • Elementary Schools will start at 10:00 a.m. and release at 3:10 p.m.
  • Middle Schools will start at 10:10 a.m. and release at 3:20 p.m.
  • High Schools will start at 10:05 a.m. and release at 3:15 p.m.
• No field trips scheduled that day will begin before 10:00 a.m. The school will notify you if an event has been postponed or canceled.
• All morning bus routes will run two hours later than normally scheduled. For example, if your student’s normal pick-up time is 7:15 a.m., they will be picked up at 9:15 a.m.
• After-school bus routes will run on the normal schedule.
• Breakfast will not be served on these days.
• No morning school activities will occur these days (athletic practices, activity practices, club meetings, tutoring, etc.). Afternoon activities will continue as scheduled unless otherwise notified.
• Students enrolled in Johnson County Community College (JCCC) classes will need to follow the JCCC inclement weather decision.
• No before school Y-Club on these days. After school Y-Club will be held as scheduled.
• Please refer to school websites, social media and/or parent/guardian emails for information on changes to athletic events or activities scheduled that day.

In the case of early dismissal after school is in session, school administrators and staff will work with parents/guardians as much as possible to assist in the safety of all students. Parents/guardians are advised to make prior plans with their children for such a situation. Early release will rarely be used.

If Spring Hill Schools needs to close the school system or specific schools for any emergency reason, including inclement weather, information is available:

• Through mass notifications to families via automated phone calls, text messages, and/or emails.
• By visiting the district website
• By following the district on Facebook and/or Twitter
• By watching local television channels, including WDAF-TV 4, KCTV-TV 5, KMBC-TV 9, or KSHB-TV 41.

Please do not call the schools or the District Administrative Center for closing information.

Cold weather may also affect elementary outdoor recess. Outdoor recess will be conducted if:

• The outside air temperature and/or wind chill is 20°F or greater.
• There is no falling precipitation.

Limited outdoor recess will be held if the outside air temperature and/or wind chill is between 10°F and 19°F. 

Indoor recess will be held if the outside air temperature and/or wind chill is lower than 10°F or if there is falling precipitation. 

On days when the district has canceled school, there is no Before/After Care offered by the YMCA at any of the Spring Hill Schools.

There will also be no before or after school activities (athletic practices, activity practices, club meetings, tutoring, etc.).

If schools are canceled, facility rentals by the community are also canceled.