The decision to delay or cancel school

RIVERSIDE, Ohio (WDTN) - There are lots of factors that Mad River Local Schools takes into consideration before cancelling or delaying the start of school.

The district works closely with the City of Riverside to help make that determination.

"We start discussions around 4 in the morning to make the decision and the night before, if we already know something and the snow is coming down and it's predicted to come throughout the night, if we know there's going to be cold temperatures and there's not going to be time for the streets to be cleaned, then we can make a decision that evening," says Mad River Local Schools Superintendent Necia Nicholas.

The district must make it's decision by 6 in the morning.

Earlier this week, schools were delayed by two hours due to the cold temperatures.

"We want to make sure that children are safe getting to school.  When it comes to cold weather, make sure that, knowing that they're standing at bus stops, that we pick them up at a time, that they will be safe and not freezing cold when they're out there," explains Nicholas.

Parents and staff are notified immediately by email, as well as a phone call.

The district also has a new text message alert system.

"I really like it.  As soon as it came out, I subscribed to it.  The ROTC, we have drill team practices at 6 in the morning and it's nice to get the notification early, so I can contact them, let them know that they don't need to come in," explains JROTC instructor Master Sergeant Mark Hood, USAF Retired.