CULLMAN, Ala. – As the winter season brings the potential for severe weather to Cullman County, school leaders are taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of students, faculty and staff. Superintendent Dr. Shane Barnette recently shared insights into how weather-related decisions are made and the importance of prioritizing safety in the face of cold temperatures and hazardous conditions.
When severe weather leads to school closures or the shift to virtual learning, Barnette emphasized, decisions are always made in the best interests of everyone involved.
“We can always make up an instructional day,” he said. “Even though cancellations cause inconveniences for guardians, we will always make decisions that are in the best interests of keeping our students, faculty and staff as safe as possible.”
Earlier this week, looking ahead to a mixture of snow and ice in the forecast, Barnette discussed the preparations underway to ensure safe travel to and from school. While he acknowledged the excellent work done by the county road department, he also highlighted the limitations in resources for clearing roads during extreme conditions.
“We do not have the equipment or resources readily available to clear roads and guarantee safety in such conditions,” he said. “The best thing that we can do is get the best information possible to make the decision to go or cancel.”
In cases where roads appear unsafe, Barnette was clear, the safety of drivers and students is the top priority.
“If there are roads that appear to be unsafe, we will not put our drivers or students in unsafe situations,” he added.
In situations similar to last year, where snow and ice caused significant disruptions, Barnette explained the steps involved in canceling or delaying school.
“Typically, myself and our transportation director monitor the incoming weather for days leading up to a potential bad weather event,” he said. “This preparation involves constant communication with the local emergency management agency (EMA), road department and the sheriff’s office to gather critical information about road conditions and potential hazards.”
In making the final decision, he said, “If the safety of our adults or students is in doubt, we will cancel and not take the risk.”
While Barnette acknowledges that weather-related decisions may inconvenience some, he reminded the public of the priority placed on safety.
“A school day can be made up, but our kiddos cannot be replaced,” he said. “We will always lean toward keeping our students, faculty and staff as safe as possible.”
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