Sheriff’s May Get More Control Of Schools

A bill may put more power in the hands of North Dakota’s sheriffs to close schools.

The house bill would allow North Dakota sheriffs to close schools if they believe weather is too unsafe for travel.

It would also let school districts off the hook for any days lost if the sheriffs close schools.

Sheriff Paul Laney said, “I believe the superintendents for those schools are there for a reason and very well educated people and they don’t need me to decide what’s best for their school district.”

Sheriff Laney also said the weather conditions vary in the county making it difficult to determine if the schools need to be closed.There’s little support among local officials for the bill, and many sheriffs in the state oppose the idea as well.