OSKALOOSA — When winter weather hits, it’s time to get students on their way home.

But, a lot of Oskaloosa Schools students stay after school regularly to practice sports in preparation for games.

Oskaloosa Schools Activities Director Kevin Pederson clarified the school’s policy on activities when school is canceled, delayed or let out early before the school board Tuesday.

According to the policy, practices for the high school’s varsity teams become optional when school is let out early. This optional practice can last no longer than one hour, said Pederson. He added, there is no consequence to students from their coaches for not participating in an optional practice.

“The safety of the kids comes first,” said Pederson.

In the event of an early out, late start or cancellation, the optional practice is not open to middle school or non-varsity high school athletes, said Pederson.

It’s up to Pederson to decide if this optional practice is even an option at all.

Pederson said there is justification for having a more specific policy that includes the optional practice. He said there are schools that have a “blanket policy,” which will not allow for any practices or games if school is canceled or let out early that day. There are situations when roads become clear later on in a day when school has been canceled, said Pederson.

Having a blanket policy would not allow for games on days like this to be played, when they could be because roadways have been returned to drivable condition between Oskaloosa and wherever the away game is to be played.

“That puts me in a huge bind because of rescheduling,” he said. “There’s only so many days you can reschedule.”

In the event of contracted contests and school is canceled for the day, Pederson is responsible for any postponements, cancellations and reschedulings. If school dismisses early on the day of a contracted contest, Pederson is responsible for canceling all activities or events.

In rescheduling events, both schools involved need to find the nearest available date that works for both districts.

Pederson said he understands that, even if Oskaloosa has school, a neighboring district may not. He said if a neighboring district doesn’t believe it’s safe to travel to Oskaloosa, he will respect their decision.

Superintendent Dr. Carolyn McGaughey said communication is made between her district and the district a team will be visiting on a game day to help assess road conditions, as well.

Pederson said he’d like to be able to wait until 1 or 2 in the afternoon and contact the district’s transportation director Dale Nelson to see if it is safe to have students on the road in school buses.

Some weather conditions make that decision for him and McGaughey, said Pederson.

“Often we do try to confer,” said McGaughey. “With this last storm, the blizzard warning came later.”

McGaughey said a lot of times the district has to have to have an hour’s lead time for their buses. She said getting buses out on their routes and back can take up to an hour and a half.

“When we make the decision for an early dismissal, we’re also calculating the amount of time it takes us to get our students out and buses back,” explained McGaughey. “Conditions in town may not be that bad at that point, but we know they are deteriorating elsewhere.”

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Herald City Editor Andy Goodell can be reached at news2@oskyherald.com