A new system has been developed to handle inclement weather. Instead of immediately canceling school during bad weather conditions, both Hoover and North Canton Middle School will run on a two-hour delayed start system.
Superintendent Mr. Michael Gallina said the decision to begin operating on a delayed start schedule was made unanimously by the administrative team, which consists of all the principals and supervisors in the district. Administrators made the decision to avoid canceling school on days when both weather and road conditions might improve by later in the morning.
Gallina said they wanted to avoid using all of the five allotted snow days, and stressed that this new system is designed to conserve snow days not replace them.
“We wanted the option to save a day of school and not have to worry about make-up days in June if we could have saved a day or two earlier in the year,” he said.
Assistant Principal Mr. Todd Henne said North Canton’s current economy also played a role in introducing the system.
“Students have to understand that as money gets tighter, roads will be salted less,” Henne said.
If school is delayed, the day will begin at 9:25 a.m. and classes will be shortened to about half their usual length.
“We still have the school day,” said Principal Mr. Anthony Pallija. “You can still touch base with teachers and classes.”
Pallija said another positive to this system is that after-school activities will not have to be adjusted.
“We won’t have to cancel sports or anything that might be going on,” he said.
One concern of families is transportation, especially for younger students. Since elementary school schedules will not be changed, buses will pick up middle school and high school students after their elementary school routes.
“The bus plans and routes were the first part of the plan,” Gallina said. “We are confident that the routes will be fine and the buses will handle the change well.”
Gallina said students who walk or drive to school will also benefit from having the delayed start on days when the weather may be dangerous.
“There is more daylight in this plan and the roads get more attention before we all get out on them,” he said.
Pallija said another concern is that students may have a difficult time knowing the difference between a school closure and a delay. Both will be posted on Channel 11 and the North Canton City Schools website, as well as several other means of communication.
“Students are going to have to pay attention,” Pallija said.
Overall, Gallina, Pallija and Henne all said they are hopeful that the delayed start plan will be a good alternative to immediate school closings.
“I think it’s worth a try,” Pallija said. “Other districts have done it for years.”n