Here are 5 ways Fayette schools is trying to improve its response to winter storms

As Fayette schools prepare for another round of snow this week, district officials are seeking to improve the school’s winter weather response plan.

The changes come after a major storm last month dumped more than 7 inches of snow and ice on the region, shutting down in-person classes for seven school days and frustrating many parents.

At a school board meeting Monday night, District Chief Operating Officer Myron Thompson shared a review of Winter Storm Blair’s impact last month and how district officials plan to implement recommendations in future winter weather.

Here are five recommendations Thompson said district officials are pursuing:

▪ Through software access, getting more immediate school bus route information to city officials for the purpose of clearing roads.

▪ More focus on treating problem areas on roads

▪ Notifying parents with more immediacy of late buses and canceled routes.

▪ Sending parents surveys on how they want to receive communication from the school district.

▪ Sending paper packets of assignments home for elementary students during winter break.

In January, large accumulations of ice piled up on streets, some bus routes were more affected than others, city officials didn’t have seamless access to Fayette school GPS bus route data, some parents wanted better communication, and students didn’t have their Chromebooks at home because the storm hit at the end of winter break.

But, Thompson said, the district worked closely with city road crews and sent timely family communications.

“Rarely do we have a snowstorm, then ice, then more snow and a deep freeze,” he said. “We feel things were handled very well, though there’s always room for improvement.”

This round of snow is expected to be “impactful” but more mild than last month’s storm. The region is forecast to receive about 4 inches of snow this week.