BREAKING: West Virginia schools close or delay as heavy snow slams the state
Buses are parked. Classrooms are dark. A fast-moving winter storm is closing schools across West Virginia today. Before sunrise, I confirmed full closures in Summers County and Greenbrier County. Many other districts moved to three hour delays to keep buses off icy secondary roads and steep hollows. This is the second hit in days, and it is straining schedules, paychecks, and plans.
What is closed and why it matters today
Snow stacked up overnight, with plows struggling on back roads and shaded curves. Transportation directors told me their biggest worry was black ice on bridges and hills. Superintendents weighed that risk against the clock. Summers and Greenbrier closed outright. Several neighboring systems opted for three hour delays to let crews salt and clear.
Closures ripple far past the schoolhouse. Parents scramble for care. Hourly school workers lose shifts. High school exams and CTE labs get pushed again. One day will not break a year, but back to back storms can slow learning and cut into much needed pay for many staff.
Road crews reported black ice before sunrise, especially on secondary routes and bridges. Give plows room. Watch for downed limbs.
Keep learning moving, even on a snow day
A snow day does not have to be a lost day. Teachers can post quick check-ins or short challenges. Students can knock out tasks that often slip to the bottom of the list. Small wins add up when weather chops up a week.
- Students, spend 30 minutes on FAFSA, a scholarship essay, or your career portfolio. Set a timer and finish one task.
- Seniors, draft a short email to a teacher asking for a reference. Keep it polite, clear, and include a deadline.
- Middle schoolers, read one news article and write five lines on what you learned. Share it with a parent or teacher later.
- CTE students, watch a short skills video, then list three steps you want to practice in lab.
Create a simple snow day plan. One hour of focused work, one hour of reading, then help a family member with a task.
Educators can keep it light. A quick prompt in your LMS, a phone photo of a whiteboard plan, or a 15 minute virtual office hour can steady the week without overwhelming families. If connectivity is weak, text a reminder and hold the rest until students return.
Jobs and pay: the quiet storm behind closures
K through 12 is one of the largest employers in many counties. Storm days shake the wallet. Bus operators, aides, cafeteria workers, and substitutes often see fewer paid hours when doors are shut. Child care providers take extra kids on short notice. Local IT staff field calls to keep remote platforms stable. Snow crews and utility teams jump to the front line.
- Service personnel, submit time sheets on the regular schedule. Ask HR about delay or closure pay rules in your contract.
- Substitutes, check your portal for rebooked dates. Confirm new times for exams and pull out services.
- High schoolers with part time jobs, call your manager early. Offer to cover a daytime shift if roads are safe and you can get there.
- Job seekers, use today to update your resume. CTE and dual enrollment work belong on page one.
Families should rely on official district alerts, text systems, and the West Virginia Department of Education updates. Do not trust screenshots without a source.
The bigger picture in West Virginia education
Today’s snow closures land in a tense season. Enrollment is falling in many counties, which pressures budgets and staffing. Consolidation debates are active. The state superintendent already approved closing Rock Cave Elementary at the end of this school year, with a final board vote set for tomorrow in Charleston. Families will be watching closely, because a storm day can feel like a preview of longer bus rides and new school maps.
Policy shifts add to the stakes. Last week, the West Virginia Supreme Court stayed a lower court ruling on school vaccines. The state’s vaccine mandate is back in force, without religious exemptions, while the case proceeds. Districts are preparing to enforce the rules as students return from weather delays. Parents should check records now, so enrollment and program access are not disrupted later this winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which school systems are closed today?
A: Summers County and Greenbrier County are closed. Several other districts are on three hour delays. Check your district’s text alert or website for final calls.
Q: Will these days be made up?
A: Most districts use built in make up options, like instructional minutes, added days, or converting planned breaks. Your local calendar will guide the decision.
Q: What if my student needs school meals today?
A: Some districts run meal pickup the day after closures. Others add items later in the week. Contact your school or county nutrition office.
Q: How can students stay on track during closures?
A: Keep it simple. Read daily, finish one assignment, and prepare materials for the next class. Seniors should use the time for FAFSA and applications.
Q: I cannot miss work. Where can I find child care?
A: Call your regular provider first. Many expand capacity on snow days. Faith centers and community groups sometimes open drop in rooms. Ask your school counselor for local options.
Closures keep students safe on bad roads. They also exposed how tight the system is right now, in budgets, staffing, and time. West Virginia will dig out, as it always does. Use today to stay safe, keep learning moving, and protect your next step, in class and in your career.
