By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – If the forecast for brutally cold wind chills comes to pass, District 87 Superintendent Barry Reilly and the heads of other area school districts will decide early Friday whether it’s safe for kids to come to class.

Reilly told the school board Wednesday night he expects he’ll have to make a decision whether there will be school on Friday.

District 87 is smaller in size, and unlike rural school systems, there are plenty of buildings in the city to block some of the harsh wind gusts.

Reilly also knows some low income families have a hard time finding day care on short notice.

“When the schedule is changed at a moment’s notice, that’s difficult for families, ” said Reilly.

“I know that kids are going to be well taken care of, and fed, and have a warm place when they’re here. So if at all possible, I’m going to have school in session, but at the same time, you don’t want to put kids at risk,” Reilly said.

Reilly and other area superintendents, including Unit 5’s Mark Daniel, are part of a 3:30 a.m. conference call on bad weather days.

“Sometimes it means that I have to get in my vehicle and go drive around. You have to monitor weather charts to look for not only the temperature, but wind chills and wind gusts, think about the conditions of bus stops, streets, where kids might be walking or waiting.”

Reilly said he also consults with Bloomington Public Works Director Jim Karch before making a final decision about 5 a.m.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at howard.packowitz@cumulus