Could extreme cold close Centre County schools? Here’s what district policies say
As Arctic air brings near-record-low temperatures to central Pennsylvania next week, could local schools give students and staff a day off?
Delays and closures could be in the works for Centre County’s school districts, which have already canceled classes for snow and ice on occasion this winter. AccuWeather’s State College forecast calls for a high temperature of just 13 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday and Wednesday with “RealFeel” indexes dipping below zero due to wind chill and other factors. Students at all five local districts are already off from school on Monday, when high temperatures are expected to range from 15 degrees in State College to 12 degrees in Philipsburg.
So, how cold does it need to get for local schools to take action? Here’s what you need to know about extreme temperature delay and closure policies for Centre County schools and Penn State’s University Park campus.
State College Area School District
In a series of social media posts Friday, the district said it may consider delaying the school day by one, two or three hours or even canceling classes entirely if the actual temperature drops below 5 degrees or if the wind chill — how the air temperature feels to human skin — reaches minus 20 degrees.
“Any decision takes into account how long students are exposed to the cold and whether buses can operate properly,” the district wrote online. “Sometimes it can be too cold for the amounts of fuel additive the district is allowed by state law to mix with school bus diesel fuel to prevent it from jelling.”
Bellefonte Area School District
According to district policy, Bellefonte’s schools may alter a school day due to extreme low temperatures if it observes a wind chill factor of minus 20 degrees. Wind chills of minus 20 degrees or below present “significant risk of frostbite to exposed skin,” the National Weather Service warns.
In a note to parents Friday, Superintendent Roy Rakszawski said the district also evaluates other factors, including its ability to keep buses running and whether or not district building and school HVAC systems can keep students and staff safe.
“Come Monday evening, I will do my best to consider all factors and make the best decision I can,” Rakszawski wrote.
Rakszawski said he anticipates Bellefonte schools operating normally on Tuesday and Wednesday. If buildings are closed due to extreme temperatures, the district will move to virtual instruction.
Bald Eagle Area School District
Though the district does not appear to list a policy regarding extreme temperatures online, Superintendent Chris Santini said Bald Eagle will likely follow the same rough guidelines as State College and Bellefonte’s schools.
“I don’t know if temperatures next week will reach that threshold, but there’s certainly that possibility,” he said. “We’re probably looking at something similar, but I’m not sure we want to be tied down to some specific temperature. Obviously, we want our kids to be safe and be in school, but if the diesel fuel for our buses gels up, we’re kind of out of business.”
Santini said a delayed start to the school day could affect the district’s bus routes if some drivers are not available later in the morning. That could lead to students waiting for their buses outside, which could be dangerous in such cold temperatures.
“I think we’d be looking to go on time or not go at all,” Santini added. “We’ll need to wait and see what next week holds.”
Penn State
A university spokesperson Friday said Penn State’s Hazardous Weather Team is monitoring the forecast and will continue those efforts over the weekend and throughout the next week. Penn State has no plans to cancel classes, activities or work, but those that could change if the forecast changes or conditions worsen.
“As in all cases of inclement weather, students and employees are encouraged to use their own best judgment when considering whether to travel to campus or the need to leave early,” said Wyatt DuBois, director of Penn State’s public relations. “Students should coordinate with their instructors any time they have to miss class.”
School officials at Penns Valley Area School District and Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District could not be reached Friday. Neither district appeared to have publicly available information regarding district policies for extreme temperatures posted online.
This story was originally published January 17, 2025 at 4:20 PM.
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