JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Time and time again, winter has bested area schools and activities, forcing them to postpone, delay, and even cancel.
Jamestown Public School District has already had to make weather decisions several times. Superintendent Dr. Rob Lech says at times, these choices can be challenging.
He added that the laws have also changed over time.
Jamestown Public Schools are required to have 962.5 hours for elementary students and 1,050 for secondary. This was done to provide schools more flexibility in their schedules including professional development for staff, inclement weather, and emergencies.
Dr. Lech says in the district, they educate roughly 50 hours more per year at the elementary level and 91 hours more at the secondary level. This gives them more flexibility in the schedule, particularly around inclement weather.
When it comes to making the decision, Dr. Lech says a lot of work goes into deciding what to do for the school district.
Dr. Lech says their priority remains keeping students and staff safe, while also balancing the impact on families and the rest of the community because of custodial responsibility schools have when parents are working and the domino effect a school closure or postponement has outside of the school buildings.
Pending conditions and information, the school district will typically make the announcement on weather related decisions at 9 PM the night prior or 6 AM day-of.
“We need to make this decision early because our buses will begin to leave a bit before that to begin making their daily pickups,” Dr. Lech added. “Regardless of what decision we make as a district, we operate with parent prerogative. If a family determines that the conditions are not safe for them, the parent can excuse them from school. We know that every family and every situation is different. We will honor that family decision and simply mark them as absent.”
Dr. Lech says at the end of the day, it just comes down to doing what they think is best for the entire district at that point in time.
Listen to a full Let’s Talk About It with Dr. Rob Lech below:
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1/20/26 - Let's Talk About It: Hot Rod Junkies Car Show
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11/24/25 Let's Talk About It: Jamestown Community Thanksgiving Dinner
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11/19/25 - Let's Talk About It: Upcoming Victory Lutheran Church Concert
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11/13/25 - Let's Talk About It: Jamestown Parks & Rec
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11/11/25 - Let's Talk About It: 2025 UJ Christmas Concert
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10/28/25 - Let's Talk About It: Victory Lutheran Church Trunk Or Treat
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10/22/25 - Let's Talk About It: James Valley Pheasants Forever Banquet
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10/9/25 - Let's Talk About It: The Latest At Jamestown Parks And Recreation
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9/4/25 - Let's Talk About Sports - UJ Football HC Brian Mistro
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8/28/25 - Let's Talk About Sports - JHS Football HC Bill Nelson
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Nurse Honor Guard; Robin Iszler and Sydney Johnson
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8/6/25 - Let's Talk About It - JRMC Pillars Of Giving Gala
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8/1/25 - Let's Talk About It - Fishing For A Cause
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8/1/25 - Let's Talk About It - Raising Hell For ALS Awareness
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7/31/25 - Let's Talk About It - JRMC Podiatrist and Foot & Ankle Surgeon Dr. Spencer Arndt
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6/16/25 - Gospel Artist Ben Rutabara
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Let's Talk About it: JRMC's 15th Annual Golf Fore Good
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4/23/25 - Let's Talk About It - Bees & Brews - Stutsman County Conservation District
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4-8-25 - Let's Talk About It - Deidre Hillman
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01/21/25 - Let's Talk About It; With Dr. Roxanne Keene
KQDJ Podcast
The KQDJ Podcast is your direct link to the latest local information from Jamestown and the surrounding area including Blue Jay and Jimmie Sports and Local News and Events. Catch local sports with Jarin Matheny as he chats with local coaches and players. You can also hear previous game broadcasts and interviews. Listen to Let's Talk About It, a community focused show highlighting area events and non-profits in Jamestown and Stutsman County. Let's Talk About It can be heard every Monday through Friday at 6:30 AM on Jamestown 107.1 FM.