Brutally-cold temps forced St. Paul schools to close six days last year, and as another winter season approaches, the school district is making it easier for families to know when kids will be excused.
According to the "winter weather plan" released Wednesday, school will be cancelled if a 6:30 p.m. forecast for 6 a.m. the next day predicts:
* A wind chill of below -40 degrees.
OR
* An air temperature of below -25 degrees.
Last year, the district did not have a cold-weather standard.
As for the more traditional "snow days," the district plans to decide by 5 a.m. on a given day whether school will be cancelled that day due to heavy snow and-or icy conditions.
On days when school already has begun, and conditions appear to be worsening, the district says it will decide by 10 a.m. whether after-school activities will be cancelled.
