School Closure & Delay Information

Making a Determination about Closures and Delays

When there is heavy snowfall, road conditions are the primary factor in the district's decision about closure. If snow is forecast, we are up at 3 AM to monitor the local road conditions and weather using the National Weather Service (NOAA) for an up-to-the-minute update for our specific area. We also use the latest radar imagery and visual reports from our bus drivers in different parts of our district.

Any closure or delay decision needs to be made no later than 5:30 AM to allow the district phone trees to take effect and for the media to be contacted. The first buses leave the shop about 5:30 AM and cooks start arriving shortly thereafter. Past history tells us that closing schools based on a forecast is risky business. Therefore, the forecast, plus visuals from different areas in the district, help us make the determination. By using all the data at our disposal, we can make an informed decision.

Some areas in the district have the potential to accumulate considerable amounts of snow while other areas may receive little or none. For example, areas in the northern part of the district receive upwards of 5 inches while in Sandpoint and Clark Fork it might be raining. We receive calls stating that the roads are bad and we shouldn't be driving on them. Bad roads in the winter are a fact of life in North Idaho. We will not put kids at risk, but we will transport students when the roads are not optimal. As we do in our personal lives, we drive with a little more caution. It should be noted that, our LPOSD transportation department has one of the best safety records in the state.

School Closures/Inside Recess

Throughout the years, schools within the Lake Pend Oreille School District has occasionally closed due to various safety concerns. Among these, bitter cold temperatures, power outages, and heavy snowfall stand out as primary factors. The definition of "bitter cold" remains as unpredictable as the weather itself. In instances where school is conducted in negative temperatures, our building administrators prioritize student well-being by implementing indoor recess to ensure warmth and safety.

It's important to recognize that families always retain the right to keep their students at home if they deem it necessary. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation!

2 Hour Delayed Start

A delayed start will be utilized if road conditions are expected to improve mid-morning.  On delayed start days, school will begin exactly 2 hours after the regular start time for students.  Busses will utilize regular routes and stops.  Morning bus pickup times will also reflect a 2 hour delay.  However, release will be consistent with normal bell schedules.  Finally, school breakfast will still be available for students on these days. 

Other Important Information

The district is allowed 3 emergency closures per year from the state. All school districts are required by Idaho Code to have a specific number of instructional hours in the yearly calendar. If school closures cause the district to go below the minimums established, the time must be made up. Districts are not penalized monetarily by the state for school closures.

Please remember, that parents have the ultimate decision whether to send their children to school or keep them home. For information about school closures call the LPOSD school closure hotline at 208-263-2312, listen to local radio, tune in to regional television stations, or check social media for school closure information.

For updates, refer to the following television and radio stations:

Television

• • KREM 2

  • KAYU Fox

  • KXLY 4

  • KHQ 6

Radio

• • KSPT (1400AM)

  • KPND (95.3FM)

  • KIBR (102.5FM)

  • KICR - 102.3 FM

  • KBFI - 1450 AM

  • KXLY - 920 AM

• KPBX - 91.1 FM