Salem Schools to Make Early Release Decision by 10 a.m Tuesday

The following message was posted on the Salem School District's Facebook page on Monday afternoon:

Weather Alert: 

A most recent weather forecast indicates that a snowstorm will arrive in our area during the early afternoon hours tomorrow, Tuesday, February 18. There is some uncertainty with forecasts, but because of the anticipated timing, I have to consider the possibility of an early school dismissal. No firm decision will be made until tomorrow morning, and by 10:00 a.m. at the latest. I am writing to ask you to be prepared for this possibility.

If it's necessary to close schools early, the middle and high schools will dismiss at 12:00 or 12:30 and the elementary schools will dismiss an hour later, at either 1:00 or 1:30. Again, such a decision will be made by 10:00 tomorrow morning at the latest. Schools will follow their parent notification protocols and the district will make announcements via Twitter; the school district's web site; and on CTV-6.

Distributing this type of message is not done lightly. I don't want to appear indecisive or ambivalent. However, with this type of uncertainty, I decided it was better to send this alert and ask you to be prepared rather than send no notice and have you caught off guard tomorrow.

Again, if school has to dismiss early tomorrow, a decision will be made and notifications distributed no later than 10:00 a.m.

Thanks for your understanding.

Sincerely,
Michael Delahanty, Superintendent