Union County Schools Outlines Process for Winter Weather Closures

Staff Report

The Mountain Buzz

As the colder months approach, Union County Schools is reminding families how decisions are made regarding school delays and closures during wintry weather.

In a recent statement, the district emphasized that the safety of students and staff is always the top priority when deciding whether to delay or cancel school. Officials said that every closure decision is made with careful consideration, taking into account a range of conditions across the county’s diverse terrain.

Union County’s bus routes cover a wide area that includes challenging stretches such as Highway 180/Wolf Pen Gap, shaded back roads, and high-elevation areas that can remain icy long after main roads have cleared. “We recognize that, at times, the main roads may be clear while the backroads could still be icy,” the district noted.

The process begins early. When winter weather is expected, the school system’s road crew starts checking conditions at 4:00 a.m. A final decision on delays or closures must be made by 5:15 a.m. so families and bus drivers can be notified before the first buses leave at 5:30. Officials also consider that the risk of flash freezing is often highest around sunrise—right when many students are traveling to school.