The following is from Waverly-Shell Rock superintendent David Hill regarding the school’s policy regarding cold weather delays and cancelations:
On school buses fueled with diesel, engines can experience problems (such as fuel gelling) in extreme cold weather, and engines struggle to maintain a reasonable temperature in the passenger compartment. Unlike most other school districts in the area, Waverly-Shell Rock’s fleet of regular route buses operate on PROPANE fuel. Propane buses do not have the same issues with fuel gelling in cold weather, and passenger compartments heat more quickly and completely than diesel buses. This is just one consideration taken into account when making decisions regarding the possible delaying or cancellation of school on cold weather days.
In 2024, The National Weather Service (NWS) replaced Wind Chill Advisories/Warnings with Cold Weather Advisories and Extreme Cold Warnings, respectively, to clarify risk levels: an Advisory means be aware of danger, while a Warning means immediate action needed for life-threatening conditions.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR A COLD WEATHER ADVISORY
We know that on colder days, many parents prefer to drive their children to school or wait for the bus with their child at the end of the driveway in a warm vehicle. Under a two-hour delay, this wouldn’t be possible for many parents. When school runs ON-TIME, more parents are able to assist their children in the morning to make sure they are appropriately dressed for the extreme cold. Waverly-Shell Rock’s “rule of thumb” for a Cold Weather is to operate ON-TIME with no delay.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR AN EXTREME COLD 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆
Under an Extreme Cold there is an even greater chance of bus and vehicle failures, and frostbite can occur in as little as 10 minutes. Waverly-Shell Rock’s “Rule of Thumb” for an Extreme Cold is to consider a 2-HOUR DELAY if the warning is expected to expire by 10:30 a.m. or a CANCELLATION if the warning is NOT expected to expire by 10:30 a.m.
Please note that other factors such as snow, slick roads, visibility, etc. can also play a role in decision making and may at times make it look as if we aren’t following the “Rules of Thumb” described above. Our goal is to have students in school every day as scheduled, but the safety of our students and staff will always be our top priority.