Jefferson schools brave the cold

Although surrounding school districts canceled school due to low temperatures Thursday morning, Jefferson School District 251 was still in session.

Dr. Ron Tolman, the superintendent, said the district tested the temperatures between 5:30 and 6:30 a.m. to see if it was 20 below zero, or 30 below zero with the wind chill. Temperatures in the places they checked were above those standards, so the district sent the buses out.

Tolman said temperatures might have dipped below the standard after the buses were sent out, but the district has found it isn’t a good idea to cancel once the buses are out.

All the heaters in the schools were working, and the buildings are warm, he said.