Emergency Closing of Schools Policy

1.1 The Durham District School Board (DDSB) is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students, staff, families, and community members. In the event of an emergency situation affecting a school site, or on days that are deemed to be severe weather days, the DDSB may need to close all, or some, schools. The DDSB strives to ensure that all schools and workplaces are open every instructional/operational day to meet the needs of students and the community. 

1.2 This policy is to be interpreted and applied in accordance with the Board’s commitment to promoting and upholding Indigenous rights and human rights in all of its learning and working environments. This includes anti-colonial, anti-discriminatory, and anti-racist approaches and actions to provide services and employment that are safe, welcoming, respectful, inclusive, equitable, accessible, and free from discrimination and harassment consistent with the DDSB’s Human Rights Policy, the Indigenous Education Policy, the Workplace Harassment Policy, and the Safe and Respectful Workplace Policy. 

2.1 From time-to-time situations may arise which require ‘emergency’ action affecting the normal operation of a school or schools within the district. The Education Act, S19(1), grants school boards the following authority with respect to emergency closures:

19. (1) Closing of school or class by a board – A Board may close or authorize the closing of a school or class for a temporary period where such closing appears unavoidable because of,

1. failure of transportation arrangements; or 
2. inclement weather, fire, flood, the breakdown of the school heating plant, the failure of an essential utility or a similar emergency.

2.2 It is confirmed that the Director of Education and delegates have the authority to close schools or classes for a temporary period in accordance with the provisions of section 19(1) of the Education Act.

2.3 The members of the Board of Trustees shall be advised of any decision to close a school or class as soon as possible after the decision has been made.

2.4 The Director may adopt procedures to implement the terms of this policy. 

2.5 The Director shall report at least annually and at such other times as appears necessary on any and all closures under this policy.

Procedure: Emergency Closing of Schools
Procedure: Cancellation of Student Transportation