Weather Delays and Closures

Weather Delays and Closures

Douglas County School District takes the safety of our students, staff, parents and community members seriously. Our district is huge - spanning 850+ square miles, and conditions can vary from one region to another.

Because many of our families and staff travel across the school district, any weather delay or closure will apply to the entire school district (unless otherwise indicated).

The decision to close, delay or keep a school open during inclement weather is never taken lightly. We always keep the safety of our students, staff, and parents top of mind. Factors including snowfall, wind chill, road conditions and more are all taken into consideration.

 

When a snowstorm is approaching

By far, the biggest reason for school delays/closures in Colorado are snowstorms. The DCSD Snow Team is dedicated to monitoring incoming storms, assessing whether a delay or closure is warranted and communicating the decision to our stakeholders and the public.

When school remains open

During Colorado winters, snow and ice are to be expected. We encourage everyone within Douglas County to drive safely.

Those who do not feel comfortable driving in winter conditions or are inexperienced should consider alternate transportation options. As always, on days where DCSD’s Snow Team is activated and a delay or closure is not implemented, we respect the decision of our parents to keep their child home, if necessary. Please call your child's school and this will be an excused absence.

When there is a 90-minute delay

When DCSD is on a 90-minute delay, all schools begin 90-minutes after regular start times.

Bus routes are also delayed by 90-minutes, so students should plan to be picked up one and a half hours later than normal. DCSD before school care (BASE) also begins 90-minutes later than normal. During a delay, morning preschool programs are canceled.  Dismissal times remain the same. Click here to view delayed start times for each school

When there is a closure

All DCSD buildings are closed, and activities, sports, BASE programs, and facility rentals are cancelled. 

Where are delays and closures posted?

In the event of a delay or closure, the information will be posted on the DCSD website. We will also post updates on the DCSD Facebook and Twitter accounts, the DCSD mobile app, and on local media outlets. We will also send an email and text message to our staff and families.


How the decision is made

Beginning 24 hours prior to the start of a forecasted storm, we have several staff members (DCSD Snow Team) assessing the changing conditions across the county and at our schools. If the forecast or current conditions are concerning, the team makes a recommendation for a delay or closure to the superintendent, who makes the final decision.

The procedure for determining whether schools will start on time, be delayed or closed is as follows:

  • The district receives ongoing weather forecasts from local meteorologists, SkyView Weather and the National Weather Service.

  • At 4:00 p.m. the day prior to the forecasted storm, our Operations team determines whether or not to activate the DCSD Snow Team. Depending on the status of the incoming storm a Snow Team call is scheduled for later that evening, or for 4:00 a.m. the next morning. 

  • When the DCSD Snow Team is activated:

  • Beginning at 3:00 a.m. (or sooner) area drivers report conditions to the Transportation Director and Chief Operations Officer.

  • District staff contacts neighboring school districts to share information and recommendations.

  • The forecast is reviewed continuously.

  • Before 4:00 a.m. the DCSD Transportation and Operations & Maintenance Directors share information and potential recommendations with the Chief Operations Officer.

  • Before 4:00 a.m. the Superintendent and members of his Cabinet join a “Snow Team call,” and the COO provides information and his recommendation regarding whether the district should remain open, be delayed, or closed.

  • The superintendent reviews all available information and makes the final decision by 5:00 a.m. 

  • If a delay or cancellation is to be implemented, families will receive a text message and email via SchoolMessenger (make sure you're opted in!) no later than 6:00 a.m. (usually much earlier). Notifications will also be posted on the district website, social media channels, and local media agencies.


In rare cases, it is possible for the district to make a decision the evening before for the next day. When that happens, families will be notified by 10:00 p.m.

Because the Douglas County School District is 850+ square miles, conditions may vary in different areas of the district - even from neighborhood to neighborhood. Decisions are based on predictions and conditions on the ground in the district before 5:00 a.m. We know that sometimes, extreme weather conditions arise or worsen as students, parents, and community members are already commuting.

We are committed to making the best possible decision when it comes to closures and delays, and taking every measure to ensure the safety of our entire community. Our number-one priority is making sure that everyone is able to make it to school safely, and this goal steers every step of our process.

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In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, the Douglas County School District RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. The School District's Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator to address complaints alleging sexual harassment under Title IX is Aaron Henderson, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, [email protected], 303-387-0127.

Outside Agencies

Complaints regarding violations of Title VI, (race, national origin), Title IX (sex, gender), Section 504/ADA (handicap or disability), may be filed directly with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204. Complaints regarding violations of Title VII (employment) and the ADEA (prohibiting age discrimination in employment) may be filed directly with the Federal Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 510, Denver, CO 80202, or the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202.

NOTICE OF DESTRUCTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS

Special Education records which have been collected by Douglas County School District related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of special education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for the period of five (5) years after special education services have ended for the student. Special education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, or completes his/her educational program at age 21, or moves from the district. This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Douglas County School District's intent to destroy the special education records of students who exited special education services as of June 30, 2016. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. After five years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for social security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request a copy of the records by requesting the records at this link ( Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests ).