Decisions and notifications will be made by 5:30 a.m., when possible, for late starts and cancellations.

General Guidelines for Cold Temperatures/ Wind Chill

These general guidelines are subject to change at the superintendent’s discretion. Each weather situation will be assessed independently.

The superintendent may decide to delay or cancel school due to weather conditions and will make those decisions based on the safety of students and staff. To best assess conditions and ensure a safe learning environment, this decision is made after reviewing data available from the National Weather Service, and when appropriate, in consultation with city road crews; district leadership, transportation and operations and maintenance staff; and sometimes in consultation with other area superintendents.

If the National Weather Service issues a cold weather advisory or extreme cold warning, there may be a two-hour delay or school may be canceled based on the current and anticipated temperatures throughout the school day.

• A Cold Weather Advisory from the National Weather Service (NWS) means that the apparent temperature is expected to drop to between -20° and -29°F.
• An Extreme Cold Warning from the National Weather Service (NWS) means that the temperature is expected to drop below -30°F. An Extreme Cold Warning is issued when dangerously cold air, with or without wind, is expected.

General Guidelines for Heat/Cold Related to the District’s Interruptible Power Agreement with Alliant Energy

Linn-Mar Community School District buildings are fully air conditioned, and most likely will operate on a regular school day schedule even in extreme heat by shifting activities to indoor locations or to a different time of day.

The district does have an energy-saving agreement with Alliant Energy that allows the utility to shut down power on the main campus (including Linn-Mar High School, Excelsior Middle School, Indian Creek Elementary, and the former Learning Resource Center.)  Should temperatures become too extreme (cold or hot) and the utility elects to execute the terms of this agreement, the district may elect to close the buildings early.

This decision will be communicated to parents and guardians as quickly as possible, but may only be a few hours before the schedule change.

General Guidelines for Snow and Ice

School will be canceled if snow and/or icy conditions make it exceedingly hazardous or impossible for school buses to travel their routes and/or for employees and students to report to school safely. Decisions and notifications will be made by 5:30 a.m. on the morning of a cancellation when possible. As a general practice, all activities are canceled unless otherwise noted. 

These general guidelines are subject to change at the Superintendent’s discretion. Each weather situation will be assessed independently.

Weather Cancelation/Delay Outlets

TWO HOUR DELAY

Little Lions Preschool: AM Session Canceled / PM Session will be held.

Before/After School Care: Will open 2 hours late.

Elementary/Intermediate/Middle Schools:  AM Activities Canceled

High School, COMPASS, and Success Center: AM Activities Canceled

SCHOOL CANCELED

Little Lions Preschool: Canceled

Before/After School Care: Canceled

Elementary/Intermediate/Middle School Activities:  Canceled

Interscholastic Competition (High School): PM activities may be canceled depending on changing weather conditions.

EARLY DISMISSAL: Prior to 10:30 a.m.

Little Lions Preschool: P.M. preschool is canceled.

Lunch: Every effort will be made to serve the lunch meal before sending students home.

Before/After-School Care: After-School care is canceled.

Elementary/Intermediate/Middle School Activities: Canceled

Interscholastic Competition (High School): PM activities may be canceled depending on changing weather conditions.

EARLY DISMISSAL: After 10:30 a.m. 

Little Lions Preschool: P.M. preschool is canceled.

Lunch: Will be served following the early dismissal schedule.

Before/After-School Care: After-school care is canceled.

Elementary/Intermediate/Middle School Activities: Canceled

Interscholastic Competition (High School):  PM activities may be canceled depending on changing weather conditions.

OTHER EMERGENCIES:

The Linn-Mar Community School District has Crisis Management Guidelines that outline procedures for all types of emergencies and incidents that might occur. Evacuation and relocation is always a possibility.

If school is delayed, what time will daycare open?
Before or after school care is coordinated through Hand In Hand daycare. Please see details under “Canceled Programs/Activities Guidelines” for information on the impact of those services.

What happens when extreme weather threatens?
The safety of students and staff is the overriding, deciding factor. Since school is a safe, supervised setting for children the District tries to avoid early dismissals.

How do we decide to start, delay, or cancel?
The Superintendent decides whether or not to cancel, delay, or dismiss early. As early as possible, information about weather and road conditions is gathered from various sources – including government agencies, meteorologists, and through personal inspection by school personnel. Please refer to our General Weather Guidelines above for more information.

Why don’t all school districts make the same decision?
Sometimes road conditions in outlying areas vary from those in the city. Sometimes building conditions may vary. For example, there may be problems with heating and/or power.

How are Transportation Services impacted?
In the event of a delay or early dismissal, students normally transported in buses will be picked up and returned to the regular bus stop unless other arrangements have been previously made and communicated to the school.

What about an Energy-Related early dismissal?
The District has an energy-saving agreement with Alliant Energy to shut down power on the main campus should temperatures become too extreme (cold or hot). Buildings that would be directly affected by a power shutdown: Linn-Mar High School, Excelsior Middle School, Indian Creek Elementary, and the Learning Resource Center.

How are Parents and Staff Notified?
The list of outlets we use to notify parents and staff are listed above under the Notification Outlets tab. Please make sure your PowerSchool information is up to date to receive communication through our School Messenger System.

When will Parents and Staff be notified?
We will make every effort to notify parents and staff by 5:30 a.m. (and as early as possible if dismissing early).

When will the days be made up?
Due to the number of additional student hours already built into our school calendar, these days will not be made up later in the year. (Unless we are under the state-mandated number of hours for the school year).