Mauston School Closings Due to Inclement Weather

Winter weather will soon be upon us. I would like to review with you the process that is utilized when schools are closed due to inclement weather (snow, ice, etc.). Weather and road reports are monitored the evening prior to and the morning of those days when it appears that weather conditions might warrant school closings. A network of communications also occurs, including conversations with area bus company personnel, school superintendents and highway departments. A decision to proceed with caution, delay or cancel is usually made by 5:30 a.m. and generally announced no later than 6:00 a.m. An announcement will be made using the School District's Alert Now Communication system. The system will attempt to contact each family or staff member with a phone message by 6:00 a.m. During a delay, bus routes and school openings are delayed by the amount of time school is delayed. School openings may be delayed one or two hours. With delays, most of the day's instructional time can be preserved. A delay may be upgraded to a school closing, so it is important to stay tuned to radio or TV stations during the delay. Sometimes school is in session and weather conditions warrant early release. When a decision is made to close schools or release early, all extracurricular activities are cancelled and Alert Now, radio and TV announcements are made indicating the time students are dismissed from our schools. Bus transportation is provided at that time for eligible students.

We encourage parents to send their children to school at all times when school is in session. Parents do have the final authority whether to send their children to school on inclement weather days if they believe conditions are too unsafe for travel. If you choose to keep your child home, you must still report the child's absence to the school.

This information is being provided to parents and the community so that everyone is better prepared to deal with school closings or delays. If you have any questions about our school closing policy or procedures, please contact me, Dr. Christine M. Weymouth, Superintendent of Schools, at 608-847-5451.

If schools are closed or the start of school is delayed, announcements will be made using the Alert Now system and also posted on the school district website at www.maustonschools.org and aired on the following radio and television stations:

Radio Stations:

WRJC Radio, Mauston 1270 AM and 92.1 FM

WRDB Radio, Reedsburg 1400 AM, 102.9 FM and 104.9 FM

WCOW Radio, Sparta 1290 AM and 97.1 FM

WDKM Radio, Adams-Friendship 106 FM

WBOG Radio, Tomah 96.1 FM

WTSO/WIBA Radio, Madison Z104

TV Stations:

WISC TV Madison, Channel 3

WMTV TV Madison, Channel 15

WKOW TV Madison, Channel 27

WKBT TV La Crosse, Channel 8