The following is the procedure that will be used for early dismissal, cancellation of delay of school in case of bad weather.

1. Announcements of early dismissal or cancellation will be made by 6:15 A.M. on the following stations:

              KSEL-AM/FM Radio Portales

              KSMX & KRMQ Radio Clovis

              KENW-TV & FM Radio Portales

              KTQM-FM & KWKA-AM Radio Clovis

              KAMR-TV Amarillo

              KVII-TV Amarillo

              KOB/KOBR-TV Albuquerque/Roswell

              KRQE - TV Albuquerque

              KBIM - TV Roswell

              KOAT - TV Albuquerque

              KFDA - TV Amarillo
              KMUL-MULESHOE  

    In addition, the information can be obtained on the Portales Municipal Schools web page at www.portalesschools.com.

2. In the absence of the Superintendent, Priscilla Mestas, the Assistant Superintendent and Director of Instruction, will make the decision and announcement to cancel, close, or delay school.

3. If in the morning prior to 6:15 A.M., the Superintendent decides to delay school or close school for the day,  Randy Fowler will call the Bus Contractor, Maintenance Director, Food Service Director, and media. Ms. Mestas will call the other Central Office Administrators, the Principals, the Technology Director, Julie Miller and Roberta Trujillo. Mike Rackler will post the closing or delay on the web page. The Central Office Administrators and Principals will notify their respective staff members.

4. There may be times when the opening of school will be delayed to give students more time to get to school. Unless otherwise notified, all staff should report at the usual time as conditions allow.

5. If school is cancelled for the day, administrative staff and all twelve-month employees should proceed to report at the usual time as conditions allow and unless otherwise notified. Ordinarily, if weather is severe enough to warrant closing school, staff will be allowed to leave early or not be required to come to school. However, Principals and Custodians are reminded of the responsibility to secure and check buildings even during closings and holidays.

          6. Parents and students should be reminded and urged to listen to the radio or watch television rather than call the school or radio/television station.

7. The decision to close school will be made with the safety of the students and the employees being of primary consideration. The following will be considered in making the decision:

              A. Drifting depth of snow and the severity thereof;

              B. Ice on streets and roadways and the severity thereof;

              C. Wind/chill factor/temperature;

              D. Combination of above;

              E. Any other act of nature causing travel to be extremely dangerous.

              The following shall not be used as justification for closing school:

               A. Any of the above in reasonable or usual amounts not creating an unusual or extreme danger;

               B. Pressure and/or urging from students/parents, employees who desire to be out of school;

               C. For storms that might be.

The Superintendent and his staff will work closely with the State Police, the National Weather Service, and the news media in both assessing bad weather situations and in keeping the public informed regarding school closing. It is very important for everyone to listen to the radio or television for announcements rather than calling. Lines must be kept open for emergencies and for coordination of our transportation system. It is also important to discourage calling just to urge the closing of school. The administration will attempt to make the most objective decision possible.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact Central Office.

RANDY FOWLER

Superintendent