Schools and winter weather: communication needs and networks in North Carolina

When severe winter weather threatens, school officials must make decisions about whether to delay opening school, cancel school for the day, or when school is already in session, to dismiss early. Although the superintendent for each school district is ultimately responsible for the decision, there are many others involved in collecting the necessary information and, in many cases, developing a recommendation for the superintendent. In order to understand this process and the associated collection and flow of information, a survey of school districts in North Carolina was undertaken, and interviews of selected district officials were carried out. The surveys were aimed at documenting the influences in making such decisions, including the relative importance of forecast and current weather conditions, the safety of students and staff, and costs. In addition, how weather and road condition information are obtained and how decisions are communicated within the school district and out to the public was also part of the survey. The interviews followed the process, from learning that a severe winter weather event is forecast to the ultimate decision, with an emphasis on the kinds of information used and from whom they are obtained. Together, the results lead to conclusions about the internal and external communication needs and networks, and how they differ (or do not) among districts.