Boulder Valley Schools Close Again Friday Due to High Winds

UPDATE: The Boulder Valley School District has announced another school closure for Friday, December 15, 2023, due to severe weather conditions including high winds and elevated fire danger. Students will get an early start to winter break as officials prioritize safety amid the forecast of damaging gusts.

The Boulder Office of Emergency Management is urging residents to stay off the roads as winds are expected to exceed 100 miles per hour in some areas. Additionally, Xcel Energy has indicated that a planned power outage may begin as early as 5 a.m. Friday, further complicating the situation for families and school operations.

This closure follows a chaotic Thursday, when high winds knocked out power to approximately half of the district’s schools, causing significant disruptions. Spokesman Randy Barber stated, “It’s difficult to operate a school district when you have a lot of schools that are out of power,” highlighting the urgency of the current situation.

During Wednesday’s storm, strong winds resulted in damaged infrastructure and safety hazards. At Fairview High School, windows cracked and shattered due to flying debris as students took their finals. Additionally, a window was broken at Columbine Elementary School. Barber confirmed that by Thursday afternoon, power had been restored to some schools, but as many as 16 schools were still experiencing outages.

The impact on student schedules is significant. High school students who missed two days of finals will now take their exams in the first week after winter break. The district plans to push back the start of the second semester, providing families with updated schedules soon.

In light of ongoing power outages, the district’s central kitchen faced challenges in meal preparation. Although a generator maintained refrigeration, it was insufficient for cooking, leaving concerns for students and staff whose homes also lost power. The combination of downed trees, damaged traffic lights, and debris created dangerous travel conditions, prompting the district to take proactive measures to ensure safety.

As the situation develops, parents and students are advised to stay tuned for further updates on school operations and the impact of the weather on the upcoming weeks. For the latest districtwide updates, visit bvsd.org.

This developing story underscores the urgency of the situation in Boulder Valley, as officials work to navigate the challenges posed by extreme weather. Stay safe and informed.