Week 22: Responding to Winter’s Impact

Happy Friday!

Before anything else, I want to express my sincere concern for the well-being of our staff and families following this prolonged stretch of winter weather. I hope that everyone has remained safe, warm, and has not experienced undue hardship as a result of the conditions or the extended school closures. Weeks like this remind us that school is only one part of a much larger community, and the safety of our people must always come first.

As you know, our schools were closed all week due to ice-covered roads and unsafe travel conditions. These decisions are never made lightly. While missed school days are frustrating, the risk posed by deteriorating road conditions made closure the responsible choice. Most, if not all, districts across Arkansas found themselves in the same position this week and are now facing similar instructional and calendar challenges.

At the same time, it is important to acknowledge the urgency that comes with a full week of missed learning. Instructional time is a finite resource, and extended disruptions place real pressure on the school calendar. We currently have one remaining weather-related closure day built into the calendar. If additional closures become necessary, the school year would extend beyond Memorial Day. We are hopeful that we will not need to use that final day, but we want to be transparent about the reality of the situation and the constraints we are working within.

In last week’s Wrap-up, I shared that we would have calendar choices ready for staff consideration for next school year. Given this week’s closures, we are going to push that timeline back by one week to allow the Personnel Policies Committee adequate time to further narrow the options before they are shared with staff. This will help ensure the choices presented are clear, thoughtful, and aligned with the feedback we have received.

In addition to the instructional impact, this stretch of severe winter weather caused some facilities-related issues across the district. We experienced weather-related damage to awnings and gutters at Louise Durham Elementary, the Hensley Activity Center, and Mena High School. In addition, a water supply line in the upstairs custodian closet at Rackley Gymnasium broke, resulting in minor water damage to the upstairs offices and the locker rooms below. Our maintenance team responded promptly and continues to assess and address these issues to ensure all facilities remain safe and operational.

I appreciate the patience, flexibility, and professionalism shown by our staff and families during a week that was largely out of our control. As conditions improve, our focus will return quickly to instruction, continuity, and the work that matters most for our students.

As we move into the weekend, forecasts indicate another arctic blast arriving tonight and persisting through the weekend. At this time, we do not know how those conditions may impact road safety or our ability to return to school on Monday. As always, we will continue to monitor weather and travel conditions closely and communicate any decisions as early and clearly as possible. Safety will remain the determining factor in any decision regarding school operations.

This past week represented a lost week of learning, and there is no value in pretending otherwise. At the same time, perseverance in the face of adversity is part of who we are. Mena Public Schools exists to serve our community by instilling purpose, supporting growth, and responding to challenges with responsibility and resolve. Even when circumstances interrupt our plans, our commitment to preparing students, supporting staff, and maintaining community confidence remains unchanged.

At Mena Public Schools, our students are prepared, our staff is supported, and our community is confident.

Keep the #menareads posts and videos coming, and have a safe, warm winter weekend!

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