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Snowstorm causes early dismissal, two-hour delay

Rumors circluated throughout the halls. Yes, it was true – school would be dismissed early! At 12:30 on Monday students were having a hard time getting out of the parking lot.

Snowy day at BHS

With the excitement of an early dismissal came some adjustments. All evening activities were canceled, and a band concert was rescheduled for next Monday, February 15. For some activities, lost practice time was a cause of stress. For the girls and boys basketball teams, the lack of practice did not negatively affect their games.

“It’s always nice to have at least one practice before a game,” said girls basketball coach Scot Sorenson on Monday. The team beat Becker 61-28.

The decision to close, delay or dismiss early is made by Director of Teaching & Learning Pam Miller, Director of Finance & Operations Chuck Klaassen, and Superintendent James Bauck. Klaassen consults with the county snow plow supervisor, city staff, and bus company management to determine road conditions and often inspects roads firsthand. County and city law enforcement are also contacted about road conditions, and Miller checks the weather forecasts.

This process began at 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning and the decision to delay school was made at 5:30 a.m.

A custodian plows the parking lot
The decision … is not taken lightly,” said Bauck on Tuesday, “Safety is of the utmost concern. Parents have the right to keep students at home on inclement weather days and the absence is excused. I have been a superintendent for 17 years and can say on only two occasions did I not receive a complaint for the decision made regarding school and inclement weather. Yesterday we received complaints for starting school on time and for dismissing it early. Today, I received a complaint for the late start. Everyone looks at the situation with their own set of lenses.”

Snow is not expected to fall within the district again until Friday, according to www.wcco.com. Light flurries are expected to continue into Saturday.
By Kristin Jeske and Caroline Persons

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