As Thanksgiving gatherings wrapped up and the calendar was about to flip to December, Geneseo and the surrounding area endured its first major winter storm of the season with nearly a foot of snow.
While for some it meant getting to work and cleaning driveways and sidewalks, for others, it meant sledding and snowmobiling. For Geneseo Superintendent Dr. Laura Delgado, it was a reminder that there will soon be days when she’ll be tasked with making what can be a difficult decision: Whether or not to have school.
Whether it’s accumulating snow, slippery ice, or freezing wind chills, it’s the superintendent’s job to decide if school is safe or students get a beloved snow day.
“The ultimate goal is to keep our students safely in school whenever possible,” said Delgado. “But the reality is that when you live in the Midwest, there will be days when the roads, snow, ice, wind, and temperatures will prevent us from doing that.”
When threatening winter weather is on the horizon, Delgado keeps a close eye on the forecast with help from the National Weather Service - Quad Cities, and any snow advisories, wind-chill warnings, and other updates they provide.
As Geneseo’s school district covers more than 260 square miles, safely navigating the roads – many many of which are outside of town – is a key consideration.
“Pinks' Bus Service has been transporting our students for nearly eight decades, and we rely heavily on their input when it comes to the safety and condition of roads,” said Delgado. “This includes whether country roads are cleared, and if there is drifting or ice that will impact driving, whether it is a bus driver, parent, or teen driver behind the wheel.”
Delgado also stays in touch with neighboring superintendents to discuss the likelihood they may call off school. Different districts have different concerns and considerations, but they all share a top priority: Keeping students safe.
Given the likelihood that there will be a day or two missed due to weather, this year’s school calendar factors in two days that could be made up during the year as opposed to extending it. Presidents’ Day on February 16, 2026 is currently set for no student attendance, but if there is a school emergency day used prior to then, can instead be a day of attendance. The same goes for the Monday after Easter, April 6, 2026.
While some districts pivot to remote learning days when winter weather prevents gathering in the classroom, Geneseo does not currently have an approved e-learning plan. Such a plan would need to be created in conjunction with the Geneseo Education Association, then approved by the Board of Education and Regional Office of Education.
“If we were to consider having e-learning days, we’d need to have a plan that offers students of all ages at least five hours of instruction or school work each day,” stated Delgado. “Our plan would need to be rigorous and provide adequate learning opportunities for all students, including those with special needs.”
It’s a balancing act that Geneseo superintendents face every winter – the importance of keeping school open versus the obligation to protect students and staff from unpredictable winter weather.
In the event schools are closed, districtwide messages will be crafted and sent within moments of a final decision being made, and shared across the district’s social media accounts.
“It’s not a fun part of the job,” Delgado acknowledged. “Closing school for a day means families adjusting plans and teachers pivoting lessons. But it will always come down to the safety of all our students.”
