• How does the district determine if it is safe to operate buses?

    District transportation staff members drive roads and check with bus company staff, local city and county public works staff between 4 and 5 a.m. to determine if streets are open and buses can get through. Staff also check forecasts from the National Weather Service and consult with other school districts who may be experiencing the same or similar weather.

    In a district of Anoka-Hennepin's size, more than 170 square miles, it would be difficult for the district to maintain a site to track conditions across the system. Parents should assume that unless school is called off, school buses are running.

     

    I heard that Anoka-Hennepin never closes for weather related problems. Is this true?

    No. Typically, when Anoka-Hennepin has closed school, the conditions were extreme (including heavy snowfall, massive blowing and drifting of snow, as well as ice - conditions that kept buses from running). Here are some recent examples:

    • March 2, 2007 (due to wind chill). 
    • Feb. 29, 2012 (due to ice and snow). 
    • March 5, 2013 (due to heavy snowfall and unplowed roads in several areas). 
    • April 19, 2013 (snow, ice and unplowed parts of the district).
    • Jan. 6, 2014 (Gov. Dayton ordered schools statewide closed due to extreme cold weather).
    • Jan. 7, 23, 27 and 28, 2014 (due to extreme cold weather).
    • Feb. 21, 2014 (due to heavy snowfall overnight).
    • March 5, 2018 (due to snow).
    • April 16, 2018 (due to snow).
    • Jan. 28, 2019 (due to snow).
    • Jan. 29, 30 and 31, 2019 (due to extreme cold weather).
    • Feb. 12, 2019 (snow and unplowed parts of the district). 
    • Feb. 20, 2019 (due to heavy snowfall). 
    • April 11, 2019 (due to snow, ice, wind).
    • Dec. 21, 2022 (due to extreme cold, blizzard conditions, hazardous travel)
    • Jan. 3, 2023 (heavy snow)
    • Mar. 25, 2024: (unplowed roads and sidewalks impacting morning travel)

     

    Does the district lose money if school is closed?

    No. The district does not lose state aid if school closes for weather or other emergencies. State revenue is based on the number of students enrolled in school, not on the number of days in school.

     

    Will elementary students be allowed outside for recess when it is 25 below zero?

    No. The guideline for keeping children inside for recess will be zero degrees or 10 degrees below zero wind chill. Accommodations for children with special medical needs can be made with the Health Services office; written documentation from a doctor will be required.

     

    Are student crossing guards allowed out in cold weather?

    Yes. School staff check student-crossing guards to ensure that they have warm and proper clothing to be out in cold weather.