Winter sometimes brings with it weather severe enough to affect the operation of schools.  A decision whether to open or close schools during inclement weather is a difficult one.  If school is canceled at 6:30 AM and by 8:00 AM the skies are clear and the roads dry, it was the wrong decision.  Conversely, an open school beset by a day of power outages, cold food, and flooded streets is also a wrong decision.

Sometimes closing school is an easy call, such as the floods of ‘95.  Other times the decision is more difficult.  In borderline situations, the District will consult with the County Office of Education, District maintenance and transportation staff, weather services, and any other agency with information helpful in making the decision.  Determination for school closings will be made by 6:30 AM or so, before the buses begin their runs. 

• When the issue of closing schools is unclear by 6:30 AM, we apply the following criteria:
• What is the weather forecast for the day?
• Can the buses transport students to and from school safely?
• Are the schools capable of taking the students for the day?
• Is there sufficient staff who can get to work to provide for the students?
• Will food service be available for students?

The current District practice is all Windsor schools will be open or all will be closed.

As a general rule, the District will try to keep the schools open. The District and schools are well aware that schools provide stability for many working families, and a change to the routine can seriously disrupt schedules and plans.  The District will close schools only when it is determined that there is no other alternative. 

If the District determines that school will be open, the schools will be open all day.  No child will ever be sent home without parent notification and consent.  In cases of extreme emergencies, proper arrangements for students’ safe transportation home will be arranged only following parental notification

Even though the schools may be open, of course the ultimate choice of whether or not to send a child to school rests with the parents.  If parents have personal concerns because of location or situation, they have every right to keep their child(ren) home from school.

Though school is open due to extreme weather, sometimes changes must be made.  If bus routes must be changed or normal pick-up times delayed, those circumstances will be announced over the radio, or individual families will be notified by phone. In conditions of severe weather or late morning buses, the District routinely conducts follow-up bus run sweeps to ensure all students arrive safely at school. 

To account for all contingencies in the event of bad weather, children are best served when prepared to deal with the elements - weather-proof clothes are very helpful in these situations.  With careful preparation, sound judgment, accurate weather forecasting, and clear communication, we anticipate a safe winter season. 

Any questions about the school closure procedures or suggestions for system improvement are welcome, and may be made to the Superintendent’s office at 837-7701.  Thank you for your cooperation and support.

WUSD Board of Trustees Authorizes Refinancing of Bonds for Taxpayer Savings

The School District issued bonds in 1994 and 1996 to construct needed facilities.  The current environment in the interest rate market is favorable for the District to refund outstanding bonds in order to generate savings and reduce property taxes.

At the October 19, 2004, Board meeting, the Windsor Trustees adopted a resolution authorizing the refinancing of the bonds. The resolution authorized District Superintendent Steve Herrington to develop the necessary paperwork to complete the refinancing.

The District's 1994 general obligation bonds are callable any time after August 1, 2004, and have been an average coupon interest rate of 6.08% - well above the current Bond Buyer Index Rate of 4.54%. The difference suggests that the District could realize savings through refunding. The conservative estimate of a refinance saving to the taxpayers is $750,000 over the next 15 years.

The transaction will occur as soon as the District's financial advisor determines that the market is favorable to generate the desired savings. It is estimated that refinancing of bonds will be completed by between mid-November and mid-December, at the most optimum time.

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