Every Maine student knows the magic of the words “snow day,” but few know what goes into the early-morning decision behind them.
Behind those two words is a process most families never see, and since many of you have recently asked about it, I'd like to walk you through it.
It starts days before the storm
Deciding whether to cancel school involves much more than checking an hourly forecast. As soon as a storm shows up on the horizon, often several days out, I begin talking with our transportation director, our facilities director, Brunswick town staff (Public Safety and Public Works), and superintendents in neighboring districts.
Those conversations with neighboring districts matter more than people might think. Brunswick, RSU 5, and SAD 75 all send students to Region 10, so one district's decision affects students in the others. Many of our staff members also commute from towns where the roads may be in rougher shape than they are here in Brunswick. Talking with my colleagues pushes all of us to look beyond our own town lines.
The morning of the storm
On a day with questionable weather, I'm up no later than 4:00 a.m., go straight to the coffee pot, and then the morning weather report. From there, I call our facilities crew, who are likely already at the schools clearing sidewalks and plowing parking lots. I then stay in close contact with Brunswick Public Works, which can tell me what the roads and sidewalks look like and what crews expect as the morning goes on.
Next, I check in with Michelle Caron, our Transportation Director, who is also monitoring the weather and how it will impact our buses. The truth is, a bus navigates the road very differently than a passenger vehicle.
At the same time, I'm comparing notes in a group text with area superintendents. I review additional local forecasts, and I often circle back to our crews and Brunswick Public Works with follow-up questions.
My goal is always to make a decision by 5:00 a.m.
The questions I ask myself
What are the roads like now, and what will they be like when buses are running, and families and students are on the road?
Is this an all-snow event, or is sleet and freezing rain in the mix?
Are conditions the same across all of Brunswick, or are some areas much worse?
If we can get students to school safely, can we also get them home safely?
What are neighboring districts, especially those whose weather usually matches ours, deciding?
It's not a science
There's no formula for this, because no two storms are alike. The final decision rests with me, and I won't always get it right. Some mornings, hindsight will tell me a different call would have been better. But every decision I make comes back to one priority: the safety of our students and staff.
Getting the word out
Once I make the final call, I begin to notify families and staff as quickly as possible through Reach My Teach automated messages, social media, and local television and radio stations so the news reaches as many people as possible.
My promise to you
I know that not every call I make will please everyone. Some mornings, a snow day will feel unnecessary to some families, and on others, a regular school day will feel like the wrong choice. And with no two storms alike, I won't always get it right.
But here is what you can count on
Every decision I make, whether it’s a closure, a delay, or a regular school day, will be grounded in the safety of our students and staff. That is my promise to you.
Thank you for your patience, understanding, and trust as we head into another Maine winter. Stay safe and warm.
