Fog Delay Info.
ALERT LINE BULLETIN 23
November 18, 2008
TO: All Interested Parties
FROM: Tom Valos, Assistant Superintendent
SUBJECT: Alert Line Bulletin – Operation of School Buses During Low Visibility Conditions
Policies and procedures for the operation of school bus transportation during atmospheric conditions which reduce visibility on the roadway to 200 feet or less during regular home-to-school transportation services have been developed over the years with the cooperation of school districts and the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office. These policies comply with Vehicle Code Section 34501.6 to assure maximum safety and protection for students.
I. COMPLETE CLOSING OR DELAYED OPENING OF ALL SCHOOLS IN THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE COUNTY (V.C. 34501.6)
A. In the event of extremely hazardous fog or other conditions which cause low visibility over a major portion of the county, a decision to close all schools in the central portion of the county will be made only upon the recommendation of a committee composed of representatives of selected districts in the central area and the county Superintendent of Schools. In the event of such a decision, a general announcement will be made ordering the complete closing of schools. Such announcement will be made the day before complete closing of schools.
B. A decision for a general, two-hour delay in the opening of all schools in the central portion of the county will be made and announced in the same manner. The Rio Bravo-Greeley and Rosedale school districts will be authorized for three-hour delays because of their location in an extremely heavy fog belt area.
II. TRANSPORTATION DELAY OR DELAYED OPENING DUE TO SPOTTY FOG CONDITIONS (V.C. 34501.6)
A. In all situations of spotty fog conditions or temporary visibility problems other than the extreme mentioned above, the following will apply:
1. The decision to close schools in a district or to delay school bus transportation later than the normal time is a local decision to be made by the district administrator in accordance to policy established by the district’s board of trustees. Such a decision must be made and relayed to the AlertLine prior to 7:00 a.m.
2. If a decision is made to delay school bus transportation later than the normal time, a uniform two-hour delay shall be applied by all districts so deciding (except for the two districts that may call three-hour delays.)
3. Elementary and secondary administrators in a neighboring community should coordinate the closing of schools or the delaying of school bus transportation.
4. When a decision has been reached at the local level to close schools or delay transportation later than the normal time because of low visibility conditions, districts are to post this information on the AlertLine website (see paragraph B following). After the information has been posted, the decision cannot be rescinded. The only exception is in those situations in which weather conditions change a delay to a closure
5. Parents and students should listen to the radio, tune to a Bakersfield television station, or check the AlertLine website at www.kern.org on those mornings when fog or other weather and/or road conditions indicate the possibility of school being closed or transportation delayed.
PARENTS AND STUDENTS SHOULD NOT CALL RADIO OR TELEVISION STATIONS OR THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL.
B. The Director of Transportation Services at the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office is responsible for coordinating information regarding delays due to weather conditions.
1. Weather-related delays may be reported either by telephone to Transportation Services at the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office or by means of the AlertLine Website. The AlertLine Website can be found on the Internet at AlertLine.kern.org or you may access it from the county office home page at www.kern.org.
a) It is recommended that a district administrator or his/her designated representative, such as the director of transportation, should be the only district representative to report the district’s decision to delay or close school. This will avoid confusion and misrepresentation of district decisions.
b) Reports via AlertLine Website. The district designee can report a delay by using the AlertLine Website at alertline.kern.org. The Website is accessible from the Internet through any Internet service provider.
i) At the AlertLine home page, a visitor to the page can select options to either view reports or report delays.
ii) Each district will be provided a password which will permit the district designee to post delays and closures. When a user ID and password are entered properly at the Alert-Line Website, a Web page will be displayed which permits the district representative to report a delay or closure.
iii) When a delay is reported, the district representative enables the delay by selecting a delay type (Visibility, Road Conditions, Other). Once a cause of delay is selected, the district’s decision is recorded and will be reported on the Website and to the media. Bulletin No. 23 -2- November 18, 2008
iv) Any visitor to the site can run a report which details by district the delays and closures in the county for current or next day. This report is the same as that which will be made available to the media via the Website and by fax as requested. The report can be printed or saved.
v) In addition to a current detail report, a history report can also be run which lists all delays called for the season. This report may also be saved or printed.
c) Reports by Telephone. In addition to the AlertLine system, delays may be reported by telephone. Delay reports will be taken at the KCSOS Transportation Center. Reports will be taken by telephone from 5:00 a.m. each morning during the fog season.
2. In the event that school bus transportation experiences reduced visibility of 200 feet or less during school activity trips, it shall be the discretionary authority of the school bus driver to determine if it is safe to continue operation of the bus.
3. Kern County and the greater Bakersfield area continue to experience rapid growth. Many new students have moved into school districts within the past year; they are unfamiliar with the schools’ alert day procedures. Therefore, we recommend that each district inform its staff, parents and students of its alert day policies as soon as possible.
That information should precisely define what is meant by a “two-hour delay” in your district. The delay refers to a bus transportation delay in some districts; a delay of school opening in other districts.
Your cooperation is appreciated.
Bulletin No. 23 -3- November 18, 2008