KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Extreme cold temperatures have forced school districts around Kansas City to cancel school Wednesday.
"It's the safety of the kids. It's not only the kids that are waiting for a school bus, but we have walkers. Just being in this kind of weather for 10 minutes could introduce hypothermia,” Kansas City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell said.
Schools in the area won’t be closed for snow or ice, but for dangerously cold weather. The forecast for Kansas City on Wednesday is colder than the North Pole.
Bedell said the district considers many factors before canceling school, especially when there is no ice or snow.
"There is no guarantee that some of the buses will start when it is that cold. You don’t want kids sitting on a corner, especially when you serve a population that doesn’t have transportation to get them to school,” Bedell said.
The school closures mean that parents will have to find a place for their child on Wednesday. Childcare facilities such as Tomlin Academy in Kansas City said they see an increase when school is canceled.
"I can’t call in, everyone else is at work, so it is very important and helpful for that reason and your kid is somewhere safe,” said Sha-Leah Wilson with Tomlin Academy.
Parents who want to drop off their children at Tomlin Academy just need to bring their immunization records and $30.
"They get breakfast, lunch, snack and you don't have to worry about your kid being somewhere safe,” Wilson said.
To see a full list of school closings, click here.
