Snow in the forecast could mean difficulties with schools; how school districts prepare for winter weather

(UPDATE: adding video and quotes from Bend-LaPine Schools Director of Communications, Scott Maben)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Snow, Sleet, Ice, all conditions making it difficult to drive around.

With students back from break, schools are preparing for winter weather.

So what does the preparation look like? 

"We have our maintenance team, all prepared and kind of on standby to to get ready to go out there and tackle, any snow that accumulates or ice, that we have on our school properties," Bend-LaPine Schools Director of Communications, Scott Maben told KTVZ News. "They're on alert, ready to go out this week if needed."

Work begins for the Bend-LaPine School district as early as 2 A.M., with maintenance crews and school officials looking at road conditions. They drive bus routes and evaluate if they themselves are having difficulty driving.

Then around 4 A.M., the superintendent speaks with the director of operations about how roads look and if buses will be able to safely drive.

By 5:30 A.M., the school district announces if the school day will start as normal, be delayed by 2 hours, or canceled all together.

If the day goes ahead, buses and bus drivers are ready to handle the roads.

Maben told KTVZ, "We also have, what we call drop chains on our buses. So if they need that extra traction in snowy conditions, just with a push of a button, a driver can activate automatic chains for their tires. So that's a big benefit."

Among the many safety features that these buses have, drivers also take the time every year to train on winter weather. That could also mean going up to mount bachelor and training up there. They do that at least once a year.