Schools across Northeast Ohio and upstate New York have canceled or delayed classes for Friday, January 23, as dangerous cold temperatures, heavy snowfall and life-threatening wind chills move into the region. More than 70 school districts made the difficult decision to prioritize student safety over attendance as meteorologists warn of brutal conditions expected to persist through the weekend.
Districts in Lorain and Cuyahoga counties were among the first to announce closures Thursday evening as weather forecasts showed temperatures plummeting well below normal levels. School officials cited concerns about students waiting at bus stops in subzero wind chills that could cause frostbite within minutes of exposure.
Multiple counties affected by closures
In upstate New York, several school districts across Jefferson, Lewis and Oswego counties announced full closures or two-hour delays. Belleville-Henderson in Jefferson County closed completely, while both Beaver River and Lowville Academy in Lewis County made similar decisions to keep students home for the day.
Oswego County saw a mix of responses to the dangerous weather. 1) Altmar-Parish-Williamstown closed for the day. 2) Mexico Academy also announced a full closure. 3) Pulaski Central School District canceled classes. 4) Oswego City School District implemented a two-hour delay. 5) Sandy Creek Central School also opted for a delayed start. 6) CiTi, the county BOCES program, delayed operations by two hours at its Mexico campus.
Second major disruption this week
Friday’s closures mark the second significant weather-related disruption to education this week. On Tuesday, more than 400 school districts including Cleveland Metropolitan School District and Akron Public Schools canceled classes due to frigid temperatures that created dangerous conditions for students traveling to and from school…