North Texas Schools Closed for Days After Winter Storm

Icy roads and hazardous conditions force many districts to cancel classes, frustrating some parents

Jan. 29, 2026 at 6:31pm

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After a winter storm hit North Texas, many school districts, including Rockwall ISD and Dallas ISD, decided to close schools for several days due to icy roads and hazardous conditions. While some parents agreed the closures were necessary for safety, others struggled to juggle work and childcare during the unexpected time off. The disruption to routine was especially difficult for families with special needs children. Some districts, like Duncanville ISD, reopened sooner than others, but icy conditions persisted in many areas.

Why it matters

The school closures highlight the challenges North Texas families face when extreme weather disrupts normal routines. The decision to close schools is a delicate balance between safety and minimizing disruption, and the varied responses from different districts show there is no one-size-fits-all solution. This event also raises questions about whether districts have adequate resources, like snow plows, to respond effectively to severe winter storms.

The details

After a winter storm hit North Texas, many school districts, including Rockwall ISD and Dallas ISD, decided to close schools for several days due to icy roads and hazardous conditions. While some parents agreed the closures were necessary for safety, others struggled to juggle work and childcare during the unexpected time off. The disruption to routine was especially difficult for families with special needs children, like Da'Brianna Burley's 5-year-old son with verbal autism. Some districts, like Duncanville ISD, reopened sooner than others, but icy conditions persisted in many areas, with one Duncanville parent reporting it took 42 minutes to drop off her child instead of the usual 4 minutes due to a closed street.

  • On Monday, many North Texas school districts announced they would be closed due to the winter storm.
  • Schools remained closed on Tuesday and Wednesday in many districts.
  • Some districts, like Dallas ISD, canceled classes on Thursday due to lingering ice on parking lots and walkways.
  • By Friday, most North Texas schools that had been closed had announced plans to reopen.

The players

Erin Hunt

A mother of three who works from home as a buyer, she struggled to balance her job and childcare during the school closures, but also appreciated the quality family time.

Da'Brianna Burley

A Dallas ISD parent whose 5-year-old son with verbal autism had difficulty with the disruption to his normal routine during the school closures.

Harper Weaver

A father of a first grader and third grader in Plano ISD, he agreed that the districts should have erred on the side of caution in closing schools due to the icy conditions.

Cecilia Murillo

A Duncanville ISD parent who felt the district made the wrong decision in reopening on Thursday, as icy roads and conditions persisted.

Duncanville ISD

A school district in North Texas that was among the few to reopen on Thursday, despite continued icy conditions in some areas.

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What they’re saying

“The ability to focus changes. I'm pulled. I'm not giving the same amount of attention to either that I feel like I should. There's a sort of guilt that comes with that.”

— Erin Hunt, Mother (dallasnews.com)

“Education is important, but those days can be made up. Out here in this weather, a life can't be made up.”

— Da'Brianna Burley, Dallas ISD Parent (dallasnews.com)

“I'm one of the loudest critics of Plano ISD, but I think that they made the right call here.”

— Harper Weaver, Plano ISD Parent (dallasnews.com)

What’s next

As temperatures rise, most North Texas school districts that were closed are planning to reopen on Friday. However, some districts may continue to monitor conditions and make decisions on a day-to-day basis.

The takeaway

The varied responses from North Texas school districts to the winter storm highlight the challenges families face when extreme weather disrupts normal routines. While safety should be the top priority, the school closures also put a strain on parents trying to balance work and childcare. This event underscores the need for districts to have adequate resources and plans in place to respond effectively to severe weather conditions.