While the weather outside can be unpredictable, the Cobb Schools team is prepared.
State and local crews help treat roads with salt and brine, and Cobb Schools does plenty of its own preparation.
Mike Quick, Executive Director of Transportation, shares insights as to how he and his department keep school buses safe and ready for inclement weather. Quick also provides insight into how decisions are made about whether Cobb Schools will continue or cancel school based on the weather and the risk it poses to students.
"It's really about the safe transit of all our students, making sure everyone is able to get to and from school safely," said Quick.
If there is a possibility of snow, ice, or potentially dangerous weather, Cobb Schools tries to make the decision with as much notice as possible so families have time to plan accordingly.
A big part of the preparation is making sure that each bus is functioning properly, which Quick and the Transportation Department have protocols in place for.
"We do something called early start, where we bring our drivers in, we make sure the buses fire up, when they do fire up, we drive them and make sure they're ready for the day," explained the Cobb Schools Transportation leader.
Another step Cobb Schools takes is parking buses closely together ahead of potential winter weather so mechanics can access them quickly and ensure they are running safely and smoothly before students arrive.
If there is ever a concern about road safety, drivers will test the route before students board.
When deciding whether to cancel school due to weather, it is a team effort. Cobb Schools consults with police, state and county offices, neighboring school districts, and weather experts to receive up-to-the-minute alerts on potential weather events.
An important consideration, as these decisions are made, is the size of Cobb County and the safety of more than 100,000 Cobb Schools students.
"It's a large county, and we cover a lot of roadways, and there may be several that are dry and easy to travel. But, there may be roads with trees, snow, and ice that make them unpassable, which could be areas outside of where you live, specifically. So, we really try and take a broader look at the county," said Quick.
So, one part of the county being safe to drive doesn't mean that it's safe for others to get to school. It's an important factor that Quick and other Cobb leaders keep in mind when deciding whether to cancel school.
From preparation to decision-making, student and staff safety remains at the center of every weather plan.
