Inclement Weather Protocols

The decision to postpone or cancel classes due to inclement weather is based on analysis of all available information at the time the critical decision to delay or close schools must be made.

The information and sources considered include:

• Consultations with local emergency management, law enforcement, and weather experts. In addition to monitoring local weather forecasts, Manor ISD participates in ongoing Travis County emergency management conference calls. Calls are scheduled by County officials any time weather threatens the Central Texas region.

• Information on road and sidewalk conditions from transportation operations staff. Manor ISD covers approximately 100 square miles consisting of varying terrain and rural roads that add conditions with inclement weather. Transportation staff serve as the internal experts on area roads and will often drive roads early in the morning to determine whether they are safe for buses. Eyewitness reports from staff provide an invaluable addition to regional emergency management reports.

• Weather related disruption to facilities. Manor ISD will evaluate any disruption to facilities that might prove hazardous, such as outages with communication networks, electrical, gas, and water services.

• Current and projected weather conditions. Because scholars and staff walk, bike, and ride in cars or buses to school in the early morning hours, Manor ISD evaluates current and predicted weather conditions after consulting with regional experts. Reports of accumulated, projected, and clearing of road hazards are taken into consideration in the early morning hours.

• Consideration of neighboring school districts. Manor ISD collaborates with area districts to gain a better understanding of how the entire region is affected by inclement weather conditions. While each district is unique, this partnership allows all districts to have a more complete understanding of weather conditions. We also consider the fact that many of our staff live in other areas of town and have children in other school districts. 

A team of district leadership gathers information and makes recommendations from a variety of information sources. Ultimately, the Superintendent or a Chief in the Superintendent’s absence decides whether or not to modify the regular school schedule.

When possible, Manor ISD will notify the public of the decision by 6:00 a.m. Weather can change rapidly and may result in the public being notified after 6:00 a.m.  

If an inclement weather event is predicted or unfolding, the Superintendent along with members of Cabinet will consult with local emergency management, law enforcement, and weather experts.  Manor ISD will continue to monitor throughout the weather event and report out to the public if a delay or cancellation of a school day is decided.

If threat of inclement weather is predicted or unfolding during school hours:

• 2:00 p.m.: Make a decision, when possible, whether after school activities need to be canceled or adjusted.

• Continue to monitor temperature and precipitation levels to project threat to roads, driveways, and sidewalks for early morning commute. 

• Communication will be sent by 8 p.m. if the temperature/precipitation model falls within an attentive range and ice is predicted. An attentive range is at or below 32º with a chance of precipitation. Remember, conditions can change rapidly overnight.

• Phone calls, emails, and/or text will go out to families/guardians if the district has either canceled or adjusted the school day. Scholars and staff will receive an email. Communication will also be posted to the District website, Twitter, and Facebook pages.

• At or below 32º and any chance of reported precipitation may result in a 2-hour delayed start. 

If threat of inclement weather is predicted or unfolding in early morning hours:

• 4:00 a.m. – 5:30 a.m.: Monitor temperature and precipitation levels to project threat to roads, driveways and sidewalks. Analyze information reported in regional conference calls

• If possible before 6:00 a.m.m a communication via phone call, email, and/or text will be sent if the school day is adjusted or canceled.

• If changes occur, updates on delays or school closures will also be posted on the District website, Twitter, and Facebook pages.

• At or below 32º and a chance of reported precipitation that may form ice on roadways could result in a 2-hour delayed start. 

• If you do not receive a call or email with delay or cancellation information, classes will go on as scheduled. 

Scholars are not typically released early unless there is reason to believe it is necessary to avoid potentially unsafe situations, such as an approaching severe storm. Scholars will not be sent out of a safe building into dangerous weather, especially since many scholars walk or ride bicycles. Campuses will not contact parents to pick up their child during the regular school day.

If there is a cancellation or delay, parents/guardians will be notified by phone, email, and/or text if their contact information is up to date on skyward family access. Staff will be notified by email. If you do not receive communication with delay or cancellation information, classes will go on as scheduled.

If school is canceled or the start of the school day is delayed:

• Parents, guardians and staff registered to receive messages from the District will receive communication from the District by 8 p.m. the night before or by 6:00 a.m. the morning of.

• Updates on school closures will also be posted on the District website, Twitter, and Facebook pages and shared with local media. 

• The news media will be notified of school closures by 8 p.m. the night before or by 6:00 a.m. the morning of. 

For parents or guardians who wish to update or check their contact information, they may do so by contacting the campus registrar at their student’s campus or by logging into skyward family access. 

Normally, if inclement weather causes a delayed, shortened, or canceled instructional day, the District would have to make up the canceled instructional time.  However, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) allows for a District to apply for a waiver. With this taken into account, campuses are not expected to make up instructional time due to inclement weather.