Schools Weigh Remote Learning or Snow Days for Closures

Administrators balance student safety and educational needs when deciding to close or delay classes.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 5:23pm

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As the Miami Valley region experiences a severe winter storm, many schools have been forced to close or delay classes. Administrators say the decision to close schools is never easy, as they must weigh factors like low temperatures, snow and ice on the roads, and the safety of students and staff. Some districts are opting to use remote learning days instead of traditional snow days to avoid losing too much in-person instruction time.

Why it matters

School closures due to inclement weather can significantly disrupt students' education and daily routines. Districts must balance the need to keep students safe with the goal of maximizing in-person learning time, leading them to explore alternatives like remote instruction on what would traditionally be a snow day.

The details

Schools in the Dayton, Ohio area have been closing or delaying classes due to the sub-zero wind chills and other hazardous winter weather conditions. Administrators consider a variety of factors when making the call, including temperatures, road conditions, and how much time has already been missed. While the priority is student and staff safety, too many missed school days can force districts to either convert snow days to remote learning days or add additional days to the calendar at the end of the year.

  • The winter storm hit the Miami Valley region on January 27, 2026.

The players

Aaron Rex

Superintendent of Wapakoneta City Schools.

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What they’re saying

“You really want to have school. You want kids to be in school, you want kids to come and have breakfast, and you want kids to come and interact with your teachers, do all their regular learning activities, and get lunch, go to their sporting events. But you also have to weigh in how safe it is for those kids to be able to come to school that day.”

— Aaron Rex, Superintendent

What’s next

Schools in the region will continue to monitor the weather and road conditions, making decisions on a day-by-day basis about whether to close, delay, or hold classes remotely.

The takeaway

School districts face difficult choices when severe weather strikes, needing to balance student safety with minimizing disruptions to learning. The rise of remote instruction has provided an alternative to traditional snow days, allowing schools to keep students engaged even when the physical buildings are closed.