Inclement Weather Protocols

The decision to delay, release early, or cancel classes due to inclement weather is based on analyzing all available information. This includes the following:

• Consultations with local emergency management, law enforcement, and weather experts. In addition to monitoring local weather forecasts, Round Rock ISD participates in ongoing Williamson County and Travis County emergency management conference calls.
  • County officials schedule calls whenever weather threatens the central Texas region.
  • Because the district is split between multiple municipalities, Round Rock ISD monitors all such expert reporting.
• Information on road and sidewalk conditions from transportation operations staff. Round Rock ISD is 110 square miles of varying terrain and road conditions.
  • The transportation staff serves as the internal experts on area roads.
  • Eyewitness reports from staff provide an invaluable addition to regional emergency management reports.
• Weather-related disruption to facilities.
  • Round Rock ISD must evaluate any disruption to facilities that might prove hazardous, such as electrical, heat, and water services.
• Current and projected weather conditions.
  • Because students and staff walk, bike, and ride in cars to school beginning as early as 5 a.m., Round Rock ISD evaluates current and predicted weather conditions after consulting with regional experts.
  • Reports of accumulation, projection, and clearing of road hazards are considered in the early morning hours.
• Consider neighboring school districts and university decisions.
  • Round Rock ISD collaborates with area districts to gain a better understanding of how the entire region is affected by inclement weather conditions.
  • While each district is unique, this partnership allows all districts to better understand weather conditions.

Whenever possible, Round Rock ISD will make the decision by 5:30 a.m., or earlier if possible, in order to begin the notification process. The first buses leave the transportation center by 5:45 a.m. and those employees leave home much earlier. Additionally, early notification allows families and staff to make informed travel and childcare decisions. Despite every effort to decide and notify the community early, weather can change rapidly. Sometimes notifications are later than what the district would like.

If an inclement weather event is predicted or unfolding in evening hours:

• Announce the district’s observance of inclement weather and procedures.
• 2:00 p.m.: Make a decision, when possible, whether after school activities need to be canceled or adjusted in order to communicate prior to the end of school for elementary and departures for most after school competitions and events.
• 7:00 p.m.: Monitor temperature and precipitation levels to project threat to roads, driveways and sidewalks.
• 8:45 p.m. or up to 11:59 p.m.: Communication will be sent if the temperature/precipitation model meets standard.
  • Phone calls, emails and text will go out to all contacts if the district has either canceled or adjusted the school day.
  • If the district continues to monitor inclement weather during the evening, all contacts will be notified via email and reminded that if conditions warrant a delay or cancellation of classes, communication will be sent. If you do not receive a call or email with delay or cancellation information, classes will go on as scheduled.
  • At or below 32º and any chance of reported precipitation may result in a 2-hour delay.

If threat of inclement weather is predicted or unfolding in early morning hours

• 3:00 a.m. – 4 a.m. Monitor temperature and precipitation levels to project threat to roads, driveways and sidewalks. Analyze information reported in regional conference calls
• 5:30 a.m. – 6:15 a.m. Communication via phone call, email, and text will be sent if the school day is adjusted or canceled. If you do not receive a call or email with delay or cancellation information, classes will go on as scheduled.
  • If changes occur, updates on delays or school closures will also be posted on the District website, Twitter and Facebook pages.
  • At or below 32º and any chance of reported precipitation may result in a 2-hour delay.

If the district were to delay the school day by two hours, start times would be as follows:

• Elementary School: 9:35 a.m.
• Middle School: 10:15 a.m.
• High School: 11:00 a.m.
• ECSE – AM: 9:30–11:30 a.m.
• ECSE – PM: 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
• First PEAR and APPLE session: 9:30 a.m.
• Second and third PEAR and APPLE sessions: 11:30 a.m.
• Child Development Center (Great Oaks & Success) and TWC: 9 a.m.
• Success High School: 11:00 a.m.
• Elementary DAEP: 9:15 a.m.
• Round Rock Opportunity Center: 9:25 a.m.
• GOALS: 10:35 a.m.
• 18+ at Round Rock High School: 11:30 a.m.

Students are not typically released early unless there is reason to believe it is necessary to avoid potentially unsafe situations, such as an approaching ice storm. Students will not be sent out of a safe building into bad weather, especially since many students walk or ride bicycles to get home. We also do not want to risk sending students home unsupervised if families are not typically home during the school day. Teachers will supervise all students until families are able to pick them up.

If there is a cancelation or delay, families and staff will be notified by phone, email and text if their contact information is up to date. If you do not receive communication with delay or cancellation information, classes will go on as scheduled.

As the district is continuing to monitor inclement weather, all contacts will be notified via email and encouraged to stay connected to the district’s website and social media channels for the latest news.

• If school is canceled or the start of the school day is delayed:
  • Families and staff registered to receive messages from the district will receive communication from the district the night before or by 6:15 a.m. that morning.
  • Families and staff will receive a phone message notifying them the night before or starting as early as 5:45 a.m. on the day of.
• Updates on school closures will also be posted on the district website, Twitter and Facebook pages.
• The news media will be notified of school closures by 6 a.m.

For families who wish to update or check their contact information, they may do so by contacting the registrar’s office at their student’s campus.

Round Rock ISD currently has four days of instructional minutes built into this year’s academic calendar. To ensure that we meet state requirements regarding instructional minutes, the district would explore options to waive or make up any additional bad weather days that occur this year. If make-up days are required as a result of cancellations, communication will be sent to all families and staff.