Schools go thorough processes when determining the status of a school day during winter weather. Knoxville Schools Superintendent Dr. Randy Flack says he’ll talk with the district’s transportation director Joe Klootwyk. He says if it’s questionable, they’ll travel a variety of rural and town roads in the district, and then meet to talk about their conditions. From there, they make a determination and contact KNIA/KRLS about what decisions they’ve made, including delays and cancellations.

Pella Schools Superintendent Greg Ebeling says they try to make the decision as early as possible so parents have time to plan. He says if they expect road conditions to get bad, they will usually at least call a two hour late start the night before. Ebeling will drive some of the roads in the district in the morning to try to get a feel for their conditions, and how well plowed more rural areas are, before calling off school. He says they try to call off school no later than 6am, so that they can get the word out over the radio.