From left, juniors Jordan Sharpley, Dillan Martin, Wilson Greene, Jeremiah Meherg and Sebastian Stewart check out the ice in the Hartselle High School parking lot before their first day back to school Tuesday morning. | Joy Haynes

Morgan County Schools Superintendent Bill Hopkins Jr., and Hartselle City Schools Superintendent Dr. Vic Wilson have big decisions to make again this year concerning weather.

The current cold snap is threatening the first delays of the season on Thursday and Friday.

“We have to several determining factors, and we have to look at the most up-to-date forecasts, but we will be evaluating the weather Wednesday afternoon to determine if we will need to delay school on either Thursday or Friday,” Hopkins said. “We have the safety of the kids to think about, and we take extra precautions to make sure pipes, buses and heating system are prepared for the weather.”

Wilson said HCS has been preparing for the chilly temperatures as well.

“Our bus group really does an excellent job,” Wilson said. “They cranked every bus Monday to make sure all the buses were running. Only one bus didn’t crank, and it had a dead battery, so all the buses were good to go for school Tuesday morning. We will continue to keep cranking the buses ahead of time to make sure they will be able to withstand the weather.”

Hopkins said they are taking extra precautions concerning students waiting on the bus.

“We have students who have to walk down a 300-yard gravel road to wait for the bus,” Hopkins said. “We don’t want them standing in the cold with a single digit wind chill. We take these situations into account before we make a decision.”

Both schools experienced several school delays and closings due to snow and ice last year. Wilson said last winter’s “Snowpacalypse” definitely made an impact on their decision-making.

“Last year set a protocol for us in determining setbacks,” Wilson said. “When we see expected lows of 5 degrees or less, we can usually plan a delay. Of course, there are other factors to look into. Thankfully, the forecasts have minimal precipitation right now, but just like last year, that can quickly change.”

Each superintendent has the final call on whether or not their schools’ will delay or close, but they have plenty of help in the process.

“I talk with other superintendents, the maintenance director, principals, bus mechanics and transportation director before I make my call,” Wilson said. “I try to decide as timely as possible so families can prepare, but sometimes the weather doesn’t give us a warning. This is the most inexact science there is.”

Hopkins said he trusts his administration to help him make an educated decision.

“I count on the Morgan County administration to use good judgment on late policy and other issues during this time,” Hopkins said. “They always show consideration and respect for the students’ situations.”

Davey Burnett slides ona patch of ice in the Hartselle High School parking lot before their first day back to school Tuesday morning. | Joy Haynes

From left, juniors Jordan Sharpley, Wilson Greene, Dillan Martin and Jeremiah Meherg check out the ice in the Hartselle High School parking lot before their first day back to school Tuesday morning. | Joy Haynes