All Lake Forest and Lake Bluff public schools will be closed Wednesday due to the extreme cold.
That includes Lake Bluff District 65, Lake Forest District 67 and Lake Forest High School District 115.
“Some of our students that take the bus do not have alternative transportation and we cannot risk having them stand outside waiting for the bus during the extreme and dangerous temperatures,” said District 65 Superintendent Jean Sophie.
The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill warning in effect from midnight Wednesday through noon Thursday. With the wind chill, temperatures could feel as low as 30 to 35 degrees below zero overnight and through Wednesday morning
Sophie said District 65 has three built-in emergency days at the end of its 2014-2015 school calendar. Because of Wednesday’s cancelation, the district will be in session until June 5, 2015.
She said the district would evaluate the weather situation Thursday and make a decision by 5 p.m. Wednesday on whether or not to close for a second day.
In an email to district families, District 67 spokesperson Janice Patterson said the school’s decision to close was based on several factors, including information from local law enforcement and city agencies, weather forecasts, wind chill, reports from the bus company, information from building and grounds staff and conversations with neighboring school district administrators.
“Road conditions and the possibility of dangerously unsafe temperatures are the main factors that drive the decision,” Patterson said. “If we need to close or delay the start of school, parents will be notified using our Instant Alert system and through postings on our website.”
She said the school will monitor weather conditions for Thursday and encouraged families to check the district website, www.lakeforestschools.org, for updates.