Post updated at 6:37 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20:
Lawrence Public Schools will be closed Tuesday because of bitter cold temperatures and wind chills.
District spokesperson Julie Boyle sent the announcement via email to families and staff Monday afternoon, saying Lawrence is forecast to have wind chills between 20° and 10° below zero. The high for Tuesday is 20°.
“We know that we have children who walk to school and others wait outside for buses,” Boyle said in the email. “These dangerously cold wind chills expected tomorrow morning could pose concerns with the potential for hypothermia and frostbite if safety precautions are not taken.”
All buildings will be closed, and all district activities are canceled. Only staff with certain essential tasks should report to work, after consulting with their supervisor, Boyle said.
Tuesday will mark the fifth day the district has canceled school in January, and during the 2024-25 year, thus far. Boyle said the district expects school will be back in session Wednesday as the weather is forecast to slightly warm up.
The Lawrence school board will still have its special meeting to discuss the search for the next superintendent; find details about that at this link.
Other closures:
• Haskell Indian Nations University will start two hours late Tuesday. Courses that start before 10 a.m. will be canceled.
• Santa Fe Trail schools will also be closed Tuesday.
No other area districts or schools had made closure announcements as of the last update to this post.
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