School districts prepare for cancellations ahead of winter storm forecast

The Forrest City School District as well as the Palestine-Wheatley School District announced their plans today in the event of school cancelations due to inclement weather.

FCSD Public Relations Director Kendall Owens said, “Over the past several years the district has utilized AMI (Alternative Method of Instruction) days when inclement weather has made it hazardous for students and staff to travel and attend safely," said Owens. "The AMI days allow us to use alternate instruction for a certain number of days, and those days may not have to be made up. Alternate instruction could be virtual instruction, worksheets or other assignments.

"The district utilizes our SchoolCast notification system along with our website and social media accounts to notify parents as quickly as possible, if we have to cancel school or release students early," continued Owens. "We also notify our local and regional media outlets."

PWSD Interim Superintendent Danny Sample said that due to him living in Harrisburg, he relies on employees who live in the area to inform him of road conditions.

"When we had the threat of inclement weather a few months ago, with me being that far north in Harrisburg, we had various employees who got out early, such as bus drivers and maintenance workers, and they were to let Tammy (Roberts, administrative secretary) and me know ASAP how the roads were," said Sample. "That is what we do. I am sure that when the new person gets in place, they will get their own plans together on how to handle these situations."

According to Sample, he is unsure if the students in the district would make up any days missed due to inclement weather, saying he does not know the details of the agreement for a four-day school week through the state.

"I have spoken with the principals this morning and everybody else about all of this," said Sample. "I still don't understand how the four-day week works. I can't grasp it. I don't understand if we build in five inclement days in the calendar. I don't understand why we would need to make it up on Friday. Now, I have not read the agreement made with the state on the four-day week and it may have said something about it. I

still do not understand the thinking behind it. To me, if we make up that day, it should be a shortened day, but then again, I have not looked at the agreement."

The PWSD notifies local media, such as the newspaper and radio station, as well as regional television stations in the event of a closing due to inclement weather. The district also posts the closing on its Facebook page.