A group comprised of individuals representing transportation, facilities and administration evaluate relevant factors and make a recommendation to the superintendent about whether to close school.

The district makes every effort to decide by 6:00 a.m. whether to cancel school so that parents can be alerted as soon as possible. The decision is announced immediately via Harrison School District Twitter and Facebook accounts, website and local news media. Parents who have signed up for Remind will be notified. Individuals may also call the School Closing Line at 870-741-0697. Please do not rely solely on one method of notification. At times, in extreme weather conditions, internet access or telephone service may be disrupted preventing or delaying the use of some communication channels.

Each school district must evaluate its own conditions. The number of rural roads, lack of street maintenance, etc., can make the safety of travel vary from one district to another even when they are in close geographic proximity. 

For many of our families, it is difficult to adjust work schedules or find child care for just a few hours in the morning. A delayed start can also make it difficult for working parents with students who are not eligible for bus transportation to get their children to school later than the routine start time. In addition to problems it could create for parents, there are transportation factors that make late start an ineffective option.  

On days when school is not in session, programs held in our facilities such as after school feeding are also canceled. However, some athletic events and other student activities may continue as scheduled depending on changing weather conditions, distance of travel, departure times and location.

Harrison School District builds five days into the calendar to prepare for inclement weather. At the discretion of the Superintendent, the Martin Luther King Holiday, teacher professional development days and/or Spring Break may be used as instructional days.

In extreme situations, the District may choose to extend the school day, schedule Saturday classes, extend the school year or utilize ADE-approved waiver days (AMI Days) to arrive at the mandated 178 instructional days.

Snow routes are typically paved roads. Drivers have discretion in determining the safest routes to travel during adverse conditions. For more specific information, please consult your scholar’s driver.  

If your regular bus is 30 minutes late, students should return home and contact the district transportation department at 870-741-5847.