Spring Hill School Closings

Click here for last minute closing info.

How the decision is made

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, Superintendent Bart Goering 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. He 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, readiness of school parking lots and sidewalks, and availability of buses and drivers.

On any day when weather is a concern, parents 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.

Timeline

The decision to cancel school is typically made by 6 a.m. and immediately reported to the Emergency Information Network, which is organized by the area school districts, area radio, and television stations and area police departments. The message will be relayed to staff, students and parents in a number of ways, including the district’s web site (www.usd230.org) and information line (913-592-7272). While it is preferable to make the decision the night before, it is not usually possible.

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

School closing notification

In the event the Spring Hill School District needs to close the school system or specific schools for any emergency reason, including bad weather, information is available:

• By visiting the district web site (www.usd230.org)
• By calling the district’s information line at (913) 592-7272
• By watching local television channels and listening to local radio stations that are part of the Emergency Information System, including:
  • WDAF 610-AM radio
  • KCMO 810-AM radio
  • KMBZ 980-AM radio
  • KCUR 89.3-FM radio
  • KMXL 93.3-FM radio
  • KFKF 94.1-FM radio
  • KUDL 98.1-FM radio
  • KQRC 98.9-FM radio
  • KYYS 102-FM radio
  • KPRS 103.3-FM radio
  • KBEQ 104-FM radio
  • KISF 107.3-FM radio
  • WDAF-TV 4
  • KCTV-TV 5
  • KMBC-TV 9
  • KSHB-TV 41

Please do not call the schools or Board of Education office main phone for closing information. The school district information line (913-592-7272) will usually carry emergency information. However, emergency situations or weather conditions may prohibit school officials from recording closing updates on the information line.

Recess Guidelines

Cold weather may also affect whether elementary students have 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° 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.

Y-Care

On days when the district has canceled school, there is no Y-Care offered by the YMCA at any of the Spring Hill schools.

Facility Rental

If school is cancelled, facility rental by the community also is cancelled.