FILE:  EBBD

Cf:  EBBC

EMERGENCY CLOSURE OF SCHOOLS

General

From time to time, it may be necessary to start the school day late, end the school day early or close one or all schools and district offices because of an emergency such as power failure, hazardous weather conditions, or severe transportation difficulties.  Listed below are general guidelines that apply in these situations.  Additional details, if deemed necessary, will be issued by the Superintendent or his/her designee at the time of such closings or releases; information about pay practices for a closing or release will be issued by the Superintendent or his/her designee.  In the case of a pandemic or other wide-spread health emergency, or in the case of an emergency closing longer than two days, special policies on leave, pay and other related policies may be announced by the Superintendent or his/her designee.

Authorization to ClosE

Authority to close any or all schools and district offices or dismiss them early rests with the Superintendent.  The decision to close, have an early release or late start shall be made by after consultation with transportation officials, emergency management, weather authorities or other agencies as necessitated by the circumstances.  If students have reported to school and an emergency arises during the school day, students may be dismissed early.  Such dismissal shall be only by direction of the Superintendent.  In the event of dismissal during the school day, all educational and building employees are to continue their work, unless otherwise notified by the Superintendent.  In cases where students are dismissed early, teachers are expected to supervise all students under their jurisdiction until they have departed from the school campus.

Notification

School closings, delayed opening and early dismissal announcements will be posted on the School Board’s website and communicated to parents, staff and students utilizing an appropriate means of electronic communication as soon as possible following a decision by the Superintendent to close, delay or dismiss schools and/or offices early.  The Superintendent or his/her designee shall also notify the School Board members and, when necessary, the news media and other appropriate persons and organizations.

Essential Employees

Certain essential services are required to be maintained in any closing.  The employees involved in these essential services are excused from work only with the specific authorization of their supervisors.  The Superintendent, principal and other supervisors shall make clear who are essential employees in emergencies, what their obligations are, and establish procedures to let them know whether they will be needed to work.  Failure to report to work during emergencies by employees required for essential services may be cause for disciplinary action.

Variations in Emergency Situations

Emergencies may vary in their effect upon employees and operations on different shifts and at different locations.  For example, the Superintendent may determine that the circumstances only require the closure of one school.  Each situation is evaluated, and a decision made on the basis of the specific conditions or forecasts at the time at the particular location.

Reporting for Work or Working Remotely During an Emergency Closing or Early Release

Employees who normally would work on-site during the hours of an official closing or early release are generally not required to report to work on-site during an official closing unless they are essential employees or in other exceptional situations.

Employees who are able to work remotely, including employees who normally work remotely as a regular part of their schedule, are generally expected to work their regular hours without regard to the closing or early release.  However, employees who cannot work their regular hours remotely for reasons connected with the closing will be paid for those regularly scheduled hours.  For example, during an emergency closing due to a severe weather storm, an employee may not be able to work their regular hours because of a loss of power, or family members home due to closure of their school or day care; in such a case, the employees should work the hours they are able, and will be paid for their regularly scheduled work hours.  Employees must notify their supervisors if they cannot work their regular hours because of the emergency.

A support or service staff member who chooses to report to the work site but is not required or authorized to work on-site during the closing receives only his/her regular pay and does not receive any additional pay or time off.

Payment of Employees on Fixed or Variable Schedules During an Emergency Closing or Early Release

Employees scheduled to work on a day of a closing or release will be paid for the regularly scheduled hours, consistent with the most recent School Board adopted Salary Schedule.

MAKEUP DAYS

Depending on the number of days the school system is closed, the Superintendent or his/her designee will determine whether employees will be required to make up calendar days or instructional time missed due to an emergency.  If the Superintendent or his/her designee determines that make-up days or time is required, a schedule identifying those days will be issued.

Revised:  February 3, 2010

Recoded and Revised:  June 19, 2013

Revised:  December 15, 2021

Ref:    42 USC 5121-5207 (Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act)

La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:81

Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education

Board minutes, 2-3-10, 6-19-13, 12-15-21

Assumption Parish School Board