How Cold Is Too Cold For School?

DENVER (CBS4)- Every school district has a different policy about how cold is too cold for school. Thursday some districts decided it was too cold for such an early start so they delayed start times.

"Catching the RTD or Light Rail in this cold is pretty bad in this weather just to get to school on time," said one parent.

Some parents also believe the plunging thermometer is reason enough to rethink the early school day.

"I think it's too cold for babies to be outside waiting for the bus stop," said another parent.

"We never second guess our parents decisions if they want to keep their kids home on cold days like this," said Denver Public Schools spokeswoman Kristy Armstrong. "We certainly respect that decision and families have the option of keeping their kids home. But for the families that do want to send their kids to school our schools are open to the rest of our families."

Denver is the most conservative about cancelling or delaying school.

"Our schools serve tens of thousands of students who come from low income families and for many of our families, last-minute daycare options are not available and many of our parents don't get paid for time off so certainly we feel it is critical to keep our schools open as much as possible to best serve our families," said Armstrong.

Jeffco Schools did not cancel or delay school start times because of the cold. The district did have 19 buses with mechanical problems resulting in 30 minute delays for children waiting at bus stops.

Douglas County Schools started 90 minutes late on Thursday and Wednesday because of the wind chill and concern for students walking to school or waiting at buses.

Aurora Public Schools did not change their schedules this week.

"I think they should have delayed until 12 o'clock," said one student.

The classrooms were so cold at West High School that students were dismissed at 11:30 a.m. Thursday.

"Negative degree weather isn't appropriate for kids to be going to school," said another parent.

There doesn't seem to be any magic temperature that automatically closes or delays the school. Each school district uses the forecast and a lot of conversation in making their decisions.

There were no plans for any delays for Friday morning.