Richardson ISD will remain closed Thursday, Jan. 29 out of an abundance of caution, according to a Jan. 28 announcement.
The district has been closed since Jan. 26 because of weather and road conditions for last weekend’s Winter Storm Fern.
The details
The closure includes all district operations, extracurricular activities, athletic games and practices, events, programs and xPlore, according to the Jan. 28 announcement.
The decision to close, according to the announcement, came because of the follow factors:
Significant amounts of ice and snow remain at many campuses, impacting sidewalks and parking lots.Neighborhood streets and parking lots across the district have not fully cleared, creating safety concerns for buses and student drivers.A large number of staff members commute from outside the district, and current conditions may make it unsafe to travel and fully staff campuses.Bus operations are not compatible with a delayed start.The district covers 46 square miles. A full closure is required whenever safe travel cannot be ensured on all roads and throughout every neighborhood.Facilities teams continue to inspect RISD buildings for any storm-related damage and clean up as the thawing continues, the announcement said.
“We recognize that this decision may create challenges for some families as parents return to work; however, the safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority,” the release stated.