School districts wait to make their decisions on closing school ahead of major snowstorm3 min read

In anticipation for uncharacteristically heavy snow forecast to fall intermittently from late night Wednesday, Feb. 20, all the way through Friday, Feb. 22, many Verde Valley school districts have cancelled classes on Thursday, Feb. 21. 

Sedona-Oak Creek School District : Closed

Sedona-Oak School District Superintendent Dennis Dearden confirmed that, as of noon on Wednesday, Feb. 20, the district planned to wait and check whether the roads are viable in the morning and post any decision regarding cancellation or transportation adjustments on the district’s website.

In an email, Dearden wrote that the district “will be notifying [parents] through [the] InstantConnect calling system [phone, text and email], as well as [the] social media SOCUSD Facebook and website by 6 a.m. Thursday morning in the event of a school closure.”

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Late Wednesday, the SOCSD confirmed its schools will be closed Thursday,

Sedona Charter School : Pending

Alice Madar, director of finance and administration at Sedona Charter School, wrote in an email to parents that “if [the school] will have a delay or closure due to the weather, [staff] will begin posting notifications at 6:45 am.  Notifications will be through the following methods: E-mail; Sedona Charter School Facebook page; Sedona Charter School website home page; Automated phone message.”

Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District : Closed

As for Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District, Superintendent Steve King sent a press release stating that the district is “closely watching the weather situation and will be notifying you by SchoolMessenger calling system [phone, text and email], as well as [the] social media COCSD  Facebook page … in the event of a school closure.”

COCSD stated Wednesday afternoon that administration has determined it is in the best interest of student safety to close schools Thursday, Feb, 21. 

“In the event that it is necessary to close school on Friday, we will notify you as soon as possible on Thursday evening so that you can make preparations. Please continue to monitor our social media and website for updates on school closure. If you have any questions, please contact the district office at (928) 634-2288 Ext. 1144.”

“All sports games and practices as well as after-school programs and field trips are canceled for Thursday and Friday, whether there is school or not.”

Mingus Union High School District : Closed

Mingus Union High School Principal Genie Gee sent the following notice to parents at 5:16 p.m., Wednesday, Feb, 20, “Student safety is a priority, so we will be cancelling school tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 21. If it is determined that we need to cancel school on Friday, we will make that determination as early as possible on Thursday to assist families with planning.  Please be careful on the roads and we will keep you updated as needed.”

Camp Verde Unified School District : Closed

According to Director of Business Services Steve Hicks, the Camp Verde Unified School District will have a snow day Thursday, Feb. 21

Beaver Creek School : Pending

Beaver Creek expects to let parents know by 6 a.m. that morning

Clarkdale-Jerome School : Pending

Clarkdale-Jerome will make its determination at 7 a.m. 

This story will be updated as more information becomes available. 

Corey Oldenhuis

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