Winter Weather Affects Local School District Schedules
Belmont County school districts are adjusting schedules in response to winter weather while working to meet Ohio’s instructional hour requirements.
The Barnesville Exempted Village School District and Union Local School District both follow the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce policy, which requires schools to meet minimum instructional hour thresholds instead of a fixed number of school days.
Under state guidelines, schools must provide at least:
- 455 instructional hours for half-day kindergarten students;
- 910 hours for full-day kindergarten through grade six students;
- 1,001 hours for students in grades seven through 12;
- 910 hours for students enrolled in traditional district online schools.
Both Barnesville Schools and Union Local Schools’ calendar is designed to exceed state instructional hour requirements, providing built-in flexibility during winter weather events.
More information about the policy is available on the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s website.
Barnesville Schools
Due to the snow storm that arrived in Ohio on Saturday night, the Barnesville School district has been closed since Monday.
“When weather forces us to close or delay school, we closely monitor how those closures affect our total instructional hours,” said Barnesville Superintendent Micah Fuchs. “If additional time needs to be recovered later in the year, we have options available, including adjusting the school calendar according to the make-up days listed.”
The district’s school calendar is available on its website, and any changes are communicated to families and staff, Fuchs said.
Fuchs said he works closely with transportation staff, administrators and neighboring districts when making closure decisions.
“Student safety at bus stops and on buses is always a priority …,” Fuchs said. “Ultimately, the final decision rests with me as superintendent.”
Fuchs said the district evaluates conditions day by day, noting that delays may be more appropriate than full closures in some situations. He added that extreme cold and wind chills can pose safety concerns comparable to snow or ice.
As of January, Barnesville has used six snow days. Fuchs said additional delays or cancellations are possible, though winter weather remains unpredictable.
Union Local Schools
The Union Local School District has also been closed since Monday and will continue to be closed for the remainder of the week due to the conditions of township roads, secondary roads and a negative temperature on Friday morning.
Prior to the current storm, the district had approximately 10 full school days’ worth of excess instructional hours remaining at the middle and high school levels, according to Superintendent Zac Shutler. While the elementary school has accumulated additional hours, Shutler said the district typically bases its schedule on middle and high school requirements for consistency.
If the district exceeds its available hours, Shutler said several options are available, including reclaiming scheduled days off, converting professional development days into instructional days, adjusting the length of the school day or adding days to the end of the calendar.
Union Local is also permitted to use up to three online instruction days, though Shutler said the district views that option as a last resort due to challenges related to internet access and synchronous learning, particularly for younger students.
Shutler said closure and delay decisions are made collaboratively with district maintenance and transportation staff and in coordination with neighboring superintendents.
“Our goal is always to help parents plan as early as possible,” he said. “If conditions are unsafe for buses, we try to make the call the night before. If weather arrives overnight, we begin assessing conditions as early as 4 a.m.”
He also addressed why athletic events may still take place on days when school is canceled.
“The decision to close school is based on road conditions when buses would be operating,” Shutler said. “The weather can improve by the afternoon, making evening travel safe. Each timeframe is evaluated independently.”
Shutler said the recent combination of heavy snowfall and extreme cold has significantly impacted the district, particularly on secondary township roads.
“School buses are not trucks or SUVs,” he said. “They are much more difficult to maneuver on narrow, snow-covered roads. Safety has to come first.”
Olney Friends School
Olney Friends School also observed a snow day Monday, a rare occurrence for the private Quaker boarding and day school, according to Director of Development and Alumni Relations Jennifer Compston-Strough.
Associate Head of School Joe Sullivan said the school’s last true snow day occurred nearly five years ago on Feb. 1, 2021.
Founded in 1837, Olney Friends School serves students in grades nine through 12 and is not required to follow the same closure guidelines as public schools because most students live on campus.
Head of School Christian Acemah said the decision to close Monday was made due to a Level 3 snow emergency in Belmont County, which affected commuting faculty and day students.
Classes resumed Tuesday and are expected to continue on a normal schedule for the remainder of the week.
During the snow day, boarding students were allowed extra time before breakfast and student volunteers assisted maintenance staff with snow removal. Students also spent time sledding on campus.
Olney Friends School students enjoy sled riding on the snow day Monday. Photo Provided by Olney Friends School. Credit to faculty member Hanna Vera.
“Family comes first, and we have a family at Olney Friends School,” Acemah said. “We can forgo school to ensure that every community member stays safe. It worked out nicely and gave the students time to enjoy our new sleds.”
An Olney Friends School student snowboards down the hill during the snow day Monday. Photo Provided by Olney Friends School. Credit to faculty member Hanna Vera.
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