Independence takes proactive approach for recent school closures
Jan 07, 2025
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- Decisions from districts across our area regarding Wednesday’s school closing plans are coming into our FOX4 Newsroom, but one district on the Missouri side already made plans for Wednesday, two days in advance.
The Independence School District took a proactive approach following this weekend's snow storm.
LIVE UPDATES: Track snow removal efforts in cities across Kansas City metro
"December 22nd was their last day at school,” Courtney Garcia, a mom of three Independence School District students shared Tuesday.
Garcia said while she is ready for the kids to go back to the classroom, she’s glad her kid’s school district is waiting for road conditions to be safe.
"I wouldn't let them go on the bus regardless right now. Kudos to them for thinking safety,” Garcia shared about the district.
On Tuesday, ISD Superintendent Dale Herl said the district had a unique situation within its calendar."I like to tell people we already knew the storm was coming a year ago, when we created our calendar, but we were just very fortunate that that’s how our calendar was created,” Superintendent Dr. Herl shared.
“In fact, that Monday of this week we were scheduled for a professional development day for some of our departments, as well as our teachers, had a workday, so what we did was moved that PD and workday to Wednesday."
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Dr. Herl also says decisions stem from the ability for buses to get around.
“A lot of people will look at I-70 and some of your major roads and think it looks fine, but they don't realize is maybe the snow plows haven't been able to hit the residential neighborhoods."
At home, or on a Chrisman High School hill, this is time together Garcia wouldn't trade for anything else.
"I cherish every moment of it with them. They make life worth living,” Garcia shared.
FOX is providing a list of school closures as information comes into our newsroom. You can view the full closings list here. In addition to Independence, here are some of the larger school districts who made the call to close school or go remote Wednesday on Tuesday afternoon:
Blue Valley
Blue Springs (Remote)
Fort Osage
Harrisonville (Remote)
Kansas City Public Schools (Remote)
Lawrence
Lee's Summit (Remote)
North Kansas City (Remote)
Platte County (Remote)
Raytown
Shawnee Mission
Olathe
These are just a few of more than 100 closings that came in as of 5 p.m., with more expected to follow.