The recommendations informed budget discussion over the three-day meeting

Hope Lompe

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder

Nanaimo-Ladysmith Public Schools have outlined how they prepare for an average of 10 weather “event” days between September and March of each school year. When this happens, the official decision on a school closure is made “ideally made before 6 a.m.”

There are four options the district will choose between on a snow day: schools remain open and all buses are running, all schools are closed, or all bus routes are cancelled, but schools remain open. Accessible bus routes can also be cancelled, while other buses continue to run and schools remain open, in this case parents and guardians will be communicated with directly.

The district starts in the morning by checking if road conditions are too hazardous for school buses. The superintendent, or a designate, may also gather information on parking areas, weather forecasts and walking conditions to school sites.

Once the decision is made, the district office will contact principals, vice-principals, and radio stations. It also sends a message to all families and caregivers through the school messenger system, in addition to posting an alert on the district website.

SD 68’s priority of snow removal in order is:

1. Plowing, salting and sanding of bus drop offs, as well as staff and student parking.

2. Removal of snow from interior sidewalks, ramps and main entrances and exits.

3. City sidewalks in accordance with city bylaws.

Plowing and salting crews are called out at midnight to address parking, while shoveling crews will begin at 6 a.m. until sites and sidewalks are cleared. The district purchased $15,000 in road salt and $27,000 of sidewalk de-icer in preparation. Up to $12,000 in added labour is required for a single weather-related school closure, not including the 32 caretakers who can be deployed on a snow day.

Erin Mikulin, operations coordinator for the Gabriola Recreation Society (GRS) says in previous years the school district has also cancelled recreation programs located at the school when the school is closed due to inclement weather.

Kyle Clifford, president of GRS adds this is the case not only when schools are closed due to weather, but for any other reason.

“This is unfortunate when the cause of the school closure is resolved during the day, however the school remains closed in the evening preventing normal evening programs to be available to our recreation clients,” writes Clifford in an email to the Sounder.