Dr. Robert Taylor, superintendent of North Carolina's largest school district, holds ultimate responsibility for determining whether more than 180,000 students and staff in Wake County will report to school during inclement weather. His decisions are guided by a careful assessment of weather conditions and their potential impact on safety.
"So the first thing we look at are the weather reports. We get those from the National Weather Service and any other state agencies that provide information about the weather. And so we really want to know what is the prediction of what's coming in and based on that. That's rather where the real work starts, what kind of decision we're going to make about either closing early, delaying and not coming at all," said Dr. Taylor.
Transportation logistics are central to this decision. The district must account for bus riders, student drivers, and employees alike. Safe travel to and from school is non-negotiable.
Wake County encompasses 203 schools spread across 857 square miles, all interconnected through a complex transportation network.
Dr. Taylor says, "All of those systems are connected. So we have multiple calendars, a three-tiered bus system that serves multiple schools. And so that means that if any kind of pivot we make is going to absolutely impact the entire landscape of transportation in the district."
The gravity of these decisions is not lost on district leadership. Dr. Taylor recalls the lasting impact of a superintendent's choice over two decades ago that resulted in a student's tragic death on the way to school. It serves as a reminder of the consequences associated with these calls. And that weighed on that superintendent for the rest of their life.
Ultimately, safety is paramount. Dr. Taylor is unwavering in his commitment to prioritize the well-being of students, families, and employees above all else. He accepts any criticism that may arise, confident that safeguarding lives is the district's highest responsibility.