Employee Severe Weather Codes

  • Code 1 - One-Hour Delay for students. All instructional staff should report on time.
  • Code 2 - Two-Hour Delay for students. All instructional staff should report one hour late.
  • *CODE 3 - Schools Closed. Eleven (11) and twelve (12) month non-instructional personnel will report on regular schedule.
  • **CODE 4 - System Shut Down. Only essential personnel will need to report to work.

SCHOOL CLOSING OR DELAYED OPENINGS:
If a decision is made to close schools or open schools late, every effort will be made to make the announcement by 5:30 am.

Note: On rare occasions, it may be necessary to make announcements after 5:30 am. Please continue to monitor the MCPS website in case changing weather conditions make it necessary to add or revise the announcement. If you have any questions, please call your principal or supervisor.

* Code 3 - Schools will be closed. 11 and 12 month non-instructional personnel will report on their regular schedule. Personnel will work until their regular ending time unless an announcement comes from the central office. 

**Code 4 - System Shut Down.  Only essential personnel will need to report to work. Each department will identify individuals who are needed to report to work to deal with severe emergency conditions.  Principals are responsible for making sure their buildings are checked as soon as possible. Essential personnel at the School Board Office have been designated by the administration to be the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, and Director of Human Resources.

A Code 4 will only be sent out if a state of emergency exists and orders are given to stay off roads (i.e., ice storms, heavy snow, etc.).

EARLY RELEASE

If a decision is made to close schools early because of inclement weather, all teachers and instructional aides may leave 30 minutes after students depart unless the building administrator requests staff to stay longer due to the need for added support to help with students.  Essential personnel should remain at school or building locations at least two (2) hours after students have been dismissed from schools or until all students have arrived safely at home. 

Announcements of early closings will be made by telephone to schools and offices by designated Central Office staff.  Non-school based personnel should remain at their work site for the normal working day unless specific instructions are provided from the Superintendent's office concerning early dismissal time.