Davenport Community School District Emergency School Closings

Emergency Delays, Early Dismissals & Cancellations
Due to Inclement Weather

The District must make one decision that is most appropriate for more than 15,000 students across four communities. We recognize that this decision may not always fit with individual circumstances. Therefore, we support our parents in making the decision that is best for their child on inclement days when school has not been delayed, released early, or canceled due to weather.

Major news outlets share information on emergency delays, early dismissals and cancellations, including KWQC TV-6, WQAD TV-8, WHBF TV-4, and the QC Times.

If you hear conflicting reports in the media, please contact the Administration Service Center at 445‑5000 so a correction can be made.

Temperature Cancellations:

For temperature cancellations, the district will cancel or delay when there is a wind chill warning as indicated by our local branch of the National Weather Service (NWS). Wind chill warnings are issued when the wind chill temperature is expected to fall at or below -25°F. Wind chill advisories are issued when the wind chill temperature is expected to fall between -15°F and -24°F.

Schools & Programs District-wide:

Decisions will be made by a team from the District Administration Service Center and Operations Center.
The primary consideration in making decisions will be based on the health and safety of students.
Before start of day – Decisions made before the start of the day will be made by 5:30 a.m. and communicated through the news media. All administrative, secretarial, custodial and maintenance employees will report to their buildings as usual, unless otherwise notified. Instructional staff members, para-educators, and food service employees will not report to work.
After start of day – Decisions after the start of the day will be made by approximately 10 a.m. and communicated through calls directly to the schools and through the news media.
In some cases, decisions may be made to conduct classes, but not provide school district transportation for students in certain areas.

One or More Schools, But Not District-wide:

Before start of day – All efforts will be made to notify students and parents before the scheduled start time.
After start of day – All efforts will be made to notify parents as soon as possible.
All employees, except co-op employees, will report for duty during their regular hours.

Athletic Events:

When district schools are closed due to inclement weather, specified guidelines will be followed by the district director and principal of the involved school for both home and away contests.
Home contests – If opponents are unable to travel, attempts will be made to re-schedule. If opponents are able to travel, the feasibility of playing a contest will be determined.
Away contests – If district buses are operating, the contest will be played. If district buses are not operating, attempts will be made to re-schedule.
Practices – If schools are dismissed early, there will be no after-school practice. If school is delayed, there will be no before-school practice. If school is canceled for the day but conditions improve later in the day, a coach could offer an optional practice.

Stepping Stones After-School Programs:

If district schools are closed or classes are dismissed early, all Stepping Stones after-school programs will be canceled.
Every effort will be made to determine cancellations by 12:00 p.m. followed by announcements to the news media. Every effort will be made to notify parents and staff.