SJSD, Savannah R3 discusses winter weather sports changes
Darren Doyle
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Typically, students enjoy snow days, but winter weather can have the ability to disrupt their favorite team or athlete’s event.
Administrators from the St. Joseph School District and the Savannah R3 School District said three major factors determine whether an event can still take place.
Activities directors or districts first consider travel conditions. When forecasts show unquestionable snow or freezing rain, they may move an event for the evening.
Officials consult local weather forecasters or road condition maps on the state Department of Transportation websites, according to SJSD Director of Student Services Shannon Nolte.
“We monitor those resources. Temperature is key,” Nolte said. “If it’s warming or steady, we might go. If it’s getting colder, that’s more dangerous.”
Nolte said SJSD monitors for double-digit negative temperatures and considers whether these conditions could pose dangers if a bus breaks down or if teams remain outside for long periods.
In the Savannah R3 School District, cold-weather cancellations or rescheduling often result in additional class cancellations. However, for Savannah Activities Director Anthony Hays, when negative temperatures mix with a wintry mix, that’s where more worry sets in for teams.
Hays also explained the process for rescheduling or canceling games, emphasizing that officials consider whether events are conference or non-conference matchups before making these decisions.
Most schools follow similar procedures: conference games are typically prioritized for rescheduling because they affect postseason opportunities. Non-conference games are less likely to be rescheduled if canceled due to weather.
If inclement weather cancels a non-conference game, it can provide more flexibility on whether it gets rescheduled.
Both districts shared that if a school has to halt a game in conference play, the game is rescheduled to a time available to each school between the end of the season and the possible beginning of postseason play. Schools like to leave a small amount of open time for these happenings near the end of a school sports season to help fit in conference games.
“We’re required to make up conference games. If, for example, we’re playing Benton in basketball and a snowstorm postpones the game, we check both schools’ calendars to find an available date for rescheduling,” Hays said. “It’s better to err on the side of caution than risk travel issues.”
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