Dear Parents, As we approach the winter season and the probability of bad weather, I want to emphasize that the safe operation of school buses is foremost in our plans as we transport your children to school. Cleveland County Schools operates 179 buses throughout the county, and we often experience a great variation in weather conditions. Because of the size of our county and these varying conditions, we are implementing a plan that allows for closing parts of the school district instead of the entire system. This plan permits schools in areas affected by bad weather to close while schools in non-affected areas may operate. Cleveland County Schools will be divided into four zones - high school attendance areas - for inclement weather decisions. All elementary, intermediate and middle schools "feeding" into these high schools will operate on the same schedule as their high school. One major change beginning this year is the Elizabeth Elementary School attendance area will now follow the Shelby Zone schedule. Crest Middle and Crest High students living in the Elizabeth attendance area will follow the Crest Zone schedule. Classes may be cancelled in one or two zones; however, schools throughout the county will close when more that two zones are cancelled. For example, when Burns High School is closed, the middle and elementary schools that "feed" students to Burns will also be closed. If weather conditions in the remainder of the county are acceptable, schools in the Crest, Kings Mountain and Shelby high school zones will operate. Bus routes may be limited in some areas when school transportation officials determine they are unsafe even when school is not closed in that area. The Deputy Superintendent for Auxiliary Services will maintain a master calendar to ensure that students throughout the county attend school for the same number of days and that inclement weather make-up days are used appropriately. Decisions concerning closings and delays will be available by 6 a.m., and will be posted on the school district website at www.clevelandcoutyschools.org or by calling the new Weather Hotline at 704-476-8001. Closing information will be available from local and regional media. Please feel free to call your school or 704-476-8093 with questions. Thank you for your support as we implement this new plan. Sincerely. Dr. Bruce Boyles Superintendent