With the unpredictable winter weather in Nebraska also comes unpredictable days of snow/temperature. Westside superintendent Blane McCann has the job of informing students whether they will have a snow day, or a go day.

“I look at a variety of factors when determining to cancel school,” McCann said. “I look at weather reports that talk about the extent of the weather event, such as amount of snow or ice, wind conditions, low temperatures and/or wind chill, and the length and timing of a weather event.”

As road conditions are a major factor in McCann’s decision, he is up at 4:00 am on these days to check out the roads.

“I drive district roads, including side streets, to see the conditions first hand,” McCann said. “I see if the city is plowing roads and improving the road conditions in our area.”

McCann has help from other school districts around the metro when deciding if/when to cancel school.

“Usually the Metro superintendents have a conference at 5:00 am to share information regarding the weather reports and road conditions, but Westside does not wait for other districts to make a decision,” McCann said. “I also use the information that is shared at the conference as I make my decision to remain open or to close school.”

So far this school year, Westside has been closed due to weather or temperature for 3 days. Depending on the level (elementary, middle, or high school) Westside has approximately 10 built in snow days remaining.

“Weather is not always predictable and making the decision to stay open or to close is a difficult one,” McCann said. “I weigh all of the above factors, along with the need to maintain instructional time for all students, when making these decisions.”