Schools
(UPDATED) Minnesota Monday Freezeout: Will Schools Take Tuesday Off Too?
MN Education Commissioner says Gov. Dayton will likely leave the decision about canceling classes on Tuesday to local superintendents, unless the already extreme weather outlook changes 'drastically.'
Updated below. It will be up to local school superintendents to decide whether to cancel classes on Tuesday.
That's the word from Minnesota Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius, speaking to reporters shortly after Gov. Mark Dayton announced a statewide school closure on Monday.
"Currently we believe school districts can make that decision" about closing classes on Tuesday as well, she said. State officials will continue to monitor the weather, she said, but unless "something drastic changes" will leave the decision about Tuesday to local districts.
The windchill warning that prompted the move will extend through Tuesday morning. However, Monday morning will be colder than Tuesday morning. Cassellius also emphasized one factor in the choice to cancel classes on Monday was that many districts will be coming off of winter break.
Stillwater Area Public Schools have called off all activities Monday but have not yet announced plans for Tuesday.
Update (2:15 p.m. Friday): "It is too early for us to make that call," district spokesperson Carissa Keister said by email Friday afternoon. "We'll continue to watch the weather over the next several days and notify families as soon as possible, should a closure be necessary on Tuesday."
Resources:
- Stillwater Area Public Schools' announcement on Monday closure
- Winter Safety Tips from the Department of Public Safety
- Governor's announcement about cancellation of classes on Monday
- State law on governor's power to close schools
Related at Patch:
- Gov. Dayton Orders Public Schools Closed Monday Due to Cold
- Monday School Closure Includes All Activities at Stillwater Area Public Schools
- 'Historic Cold': Stillwater Weather for the Weekend and Beyond
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