In Arkansas, public schools prioritize student safety during tornado warnings by implementing specific protocols that often include restricting student release during such emergencies. While state regulations mandate tornado and earthquake safety drills, they do not explicitly outline policies regarding the release of students during active tornado warnings. Arkansas Department of Education
Individual school districts have developed their own procedures to address these situations. This will be the procedure for Des Arc Public Schools in the event of a tornado warning occuring.:
During tornado warnings, all students and staff immediately seek shelter in the designated areas. Student checkouts are suspended during this time and will resume once it is safe. If severe weather coincides with dismissal, students and staff remain in the shelter area until conditions improve, and dismissal proceeds when deemed safe.
We will do all we can to allow you to check your child out and get them on the buses as soon as possible but if an actual warning is taking place at this time, our staff and your child will be taking shelter and will not be able to take your calls or request. As soon as the warning passes, we will resume the checkout and loading of the buses.