Local Schools to Reopen; District 300 Undecided

Most local schools are expected to be back in session Friday.

Here is a look at what local school districts had decided as of Thursday evening regarding the status of school on Friday: 

• Community High School District 155 will reopen Friday
• Crystal Lake Community Consolidated School District 47 will reopen Friday
• District 158 posted on its website Wednesday that the school district “fully expected to be back in school on Friday.” Check the school district’s website for more information.
• As of Thursday evening, school officials with Community Unit School District 300 had not made a decision regarding opening or closing Friday. District 300 parents could receive a call up until 11 p.m. Thursday or or as early as 5 a.m. Friday regarding the status of school Friday. You can also visit the district’s Facebook page and website for updates. A full letter posted on the district’s website by Superintendent Fred Heid can be found below.

Statement from District 300 Superintendent

District 300 Superintendent Fred Heid posted the following letter on the district’s website and Facebook page regarding the status of school on Friday:

Good afternoon,

Over the past two days, the District 300 team has worked to provide you with information regarding the status of school closures. My goal has been to provide you with emergency closing or delayed start information as early as possible to ensure that you can make childcare arrangements.

At this time, I am not comfortable making the decision to open schools, close schools, or implement a delayed start. While there is a projection for a slight warming trend tomorrow, the early morning temperatures are still forecasted to be -25 degrees. By 10 am, the temperatures are projected to rise above the -20 degree safety threshold. These concerns are further compounded by the uncertainty of the amount of snow we may receive and how snow drifting may impact transportation in our rural areas.

I will work with staff to continue monitoring the weather and keep you informed. I assure you that you will receive information regarding the status of school for Friday, January 9th as soon as possible. You may receive a call up until 11pm tonight or as early as 5am tomorrow. To respect your time, phone calls will not be made between 11:01pm and 4:49am. However, any decision occurring during 11pm and 5am will be communicated immediately through email, our District website, Twitter and Facebook, with phone calls beginning at 5am.