District 87 was one of a few school districts in Central Illinois to hold classes on Thursday. (WJBC file photo)

By Eric Stock 

BLOOMINGTON – As cold as it was this morning, it wasn't cold enough for District 87 to close school. 

District 87 Superintendent Barry Reilly told WJBC wind chills in the area of 25 below zero were close to the breaking point. 

"It's a tough call to make, because if I see sustained wind chills over the course of the day that are going to remain in that 30 below mark with gusts even stronger than that, we are likely not to be in session," Reilly said.  

Wind chills were reported as low as 23 below early Thursday. 

Reilly said the district is unique in that its busses don't have long distances to travel if they break down. 

"Given the close proximity we have to our schools and our neighborhoods we are in a better position to have school than most districts are," Reilly said. 

He said the district has school resource officers who were out this morning to help any students outside walking to school or were underdressed. 

Reilly said the Bloomington-based school system only spans 10.5 miles a small fraction of the miles school districts such as Unit 5 and Olympia cover. 

He added while some students weren't thrilled with having to go into the freezing cold to get to school, some parents got a break, because getting last-minute daycare can be difficult. 

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected]m.