When a storm is expected in our area overnight, bringing freezing rain, ice or snow, Elgin officials begin around 5 a.m. gathering information in order to make a decision about whether schools should be open or closed. We take several steps to determine if students will be able to arrive at school safely.

First, streets are checked by Elgin’s Transportation staff by driving neighborhood streets, rural roads, and major thoroughfares in our city. They investigate bus stops and school parking lots. They check to see how difficult it will be to stop a bus or car on hills and slopes. Next, temperatures and wind chills to be faced by children waiting for buses or walking to school are considered. Finally, district officials use other information, such as news reports from local stations, phone calls from surrounding areas, and radar views, reports and forecasts via the Internet.