Area schools closed again

Published 10:20 am Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Austin and several area schools were closed again Tuesday due to dangerously cold conditions.

Along with Austin schools, Blooming Prairie, Hayfield, Lyle, Southland, Grand Meadow, and LeRoy-Ostrander schools closed today.

Minnesota school districts made their own calls about whether to resume classes Tuesday or keep buildings closed another day. Monday was the first blanket closure of all public schools in 17 years.

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Austin Superintendent David Krenz said the district wasn’t going to close school until administrators saw surrounding districts change from a two-hour delay to canceling classes. Wind chills were still expected to be almost -30 Tuesday morning.

“It’s all about the safety of the students,” Krenz said.

Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius informed local school leaders Monday that Gov. Mark Dayton won’t call off classes statewide for a second day amid dangerously cold conditions. Public schools were closed Monday at the governor’s direction.