711.11 - Transportation in Inclement Weather

School district buses will not operate when weather conditions due to fog, rain, snow or other natural elements make it unsafe to do so.  Because weather conditions may vary around the school district and may change quickly, the best judgment possible will be used with the information available.

The final judgment as to when conditions are unsafe to operate will be made by the superintendent.  The superintendent will be assisted by the actual "on location" decisions and reports of the drivers.

Several drivers each year will be specially designated to report weather and road conditions by bus radio when requested to do so.  Other drivers and students will be notified by an automated calling system and local media when school is cancelled or temporarily delayed.  When school is cancelled because of weather anywhere in the school district, all schools will be closed.

When weather conditions deteriorate during the day after school has begun, cancellation notices will be announced by an automated calling system and local media.  Students will be returned to their regular drop-off sites unless weather conditions prevent it.  In that case, students will be kept at or returned to school until they are picked up by the parents.

The following information is provided to make parents aware that in the event school is open but roads may not be accessible, the district may implement a Hard Surface Route schedule for students. 

• In the event that road conditions are unsafe for school buses, the district will announce that Hard Surface Routes will be used.
• That announcement will be:
  
  • Posted on the website https://www.independence.k12.ia.us/
  • Given to local radio and tv stations
  • Sent out via school messenger
• We will be picking up and dropping off students at intersections of gravel and paved roads. If you happen to live on a paved road and currently use busing in the morning and after school, those times may have changed.
• If you plan on riding from one of the available stops, you will need to be there at least 5 minutes before to make sure that we don’t hold up traffic on the roads.
• For safety reasons, we will not be letting students off at an intersection if there isn’t someone there to pick them up. If this happens, that student will be taken back to their school, where they will have to have someone come and pick them up.
• If Hard Surface Routes are used in the morning, they will be used that afternoon as well.
• Hard Surface Routes also apply to the Preschool take home and pick up.
• If you know in advance where you will be riding from, please let the driver know or contact the bus garage and we will inform the bus driver.
• If you have any questions please contact the bus garage at (319) 334-7435.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code § 279.8 (2003).

Cross Reference:  601.2   School Day

Approved 11/1/2004                             Reviewed 01/19/2015                           Revised 12/21/2009
                                                                                           01/20/2020                                           01/20/2020