Inclement Weather Procedures

On days where there is is a slight, moderate or high risk of severe weather or tornados, East Central ISD district administration actively monitors the latest National Weather Service updates and weather forecasts.
 

• Severe weather may call for Hold, Shelter, and/or Secure alerts according to the Standard Response Protocol.
• Every school, the district administration office, and ECPD monitors conditions and alert us to any severe weather watches or warnings.
• Remember a "watch" means conditions are favorable and a "warning" means severe weather or a tornado is occurring.
• In the event of a severe weather or tornado warning, students at each school will follow severe weather safety guidelines which may include sheltering in the safest refuge areas within each school site or facility.
• Parents are encouraged to NOT risk their own safety to travel to the campus during a severe weather event.
• If dangerous severe weather occurs during or near school dismissal time, the campus may enter into a Shelter according to the Standard Response Protocol.
• We will not release students to buses or parents if we are experiencing dangerous severe weather or are under a tornado warning.
• Parents who are waiting in the pick-up lines or the parking lot will be invited to shelter in place inside the building until the warning is lifted.
• Buses will be held and not be in transit when there is immediate impending dangerous severe weather expected.
• If the severe weather is unexpected and the bus(es) are enroute, the bus(es) will seek safety at the nearest school if possible and if no school is near they will seek shelter in a local church or business if possible. 

How are decisions made to cancel school?
To determine school closings, district administrative staff will monitor weather conditions throughout the day or night.  If conditions are questionable in the early morning hours, staff will travel roads to inspect the conditions.  The district strives to make the best decision possible for the safety of students and staff with the information available at that time. 

When would I get the call that school is canceled, delayed or releasing early?
In an effort to notify parents as soon as possible so arrangement can be made, normally a decision to cancel school is made prior to 5 a.m.; however, sometimes it is difficult to cancel school if conditions do not exist prior to 5 a.m.  When bad weather is anticipated, administrators closely monitor forecasts, coordinate with neighboring districts, and work alongside our operations and transportation teams to assess road conditions and facility power.  In the event that weather conditions are deteriorating the night prior to a school day, a decision will be made before 10 p.m. 

How can I find out if school will be canceled, delayed or closed early?
Information about severe weather, delays, or closures will be shared through the following channels:

1. ParentLink Notifications: Calls, emails, texts, and app notifications
2. TalkingPoints Notifications
3. Website: ecisd.net
4. Facebook: facebook.com/ecproud
5. Instagram: instagram.com/ecisdig
6. X (formerly Twitter): x.com/ECISDtweets
7. Local News Stations (when applicable)

Please note:

To receive timely notifications, ensure your contact information is current in both ParentLink and TalkingPoints. Contact your campus attendance clerk for updates.
If you’re not receiving emails from ParentLink, check your email’s blocked or unsubscribed list and add noreply@notification.com to your safe senders.

While local news stations will be notified, their updates may occasionally be delayed.

What is the schedule when the district announces a two-hour delay?
Elementary Schools: 9:40 a.m. (Building will open at 9:15 a.m.)
Intermediate Schools: 9:50 a.m. (Building will open at 9:15 a.m.)
Junior High and High Schools: 9:50 a.m. (Building will open at 9:15 a.m.)
District Offices will open at 9:15 a.m.
ALL staff will report at 9:15 a.m.

Why would East Central ISD call for a two-hour delay as opposed to canceling school for the day?
If weather conditions would not permit safe travel for students and staff in the morning, but the forecast and radar show an improvement in conditions and temperatures are expected above freezing, ECISD would call for a two-hour delay.  In order to meet attendance requirements, per the Texas Education Agency, students should be in school for four hours of instruction.  Weather permitting, a two-hour delay allows students and staff to safely travel to campus without having to make up a day.

Will breakfast and lunch be served when there is a two-hour delay?
A light breakfast will be served and lunch will be served. 

How does a two-hour delay affect my child's bus schedule?
Buses will operate normal routes with a two-hour delay.  For example, if your child's bus normally picks up your student at 6:30 a.m., the bus will now pick up at 8:30 a.m.

Will school dismissal times change on a two-hour delay start?
Dismissal time will remain the same as normal when the district operates on a two-hour delay.

Can I pick my child up early?
Of course.  Anytime a parent wishes to check their child out of school, they may do so. 

Bad weather make-up days for 2024-2025 school year are April 18, 21, May 2, May 26.