Canton Local School District has declared a Calamity Day in anticipation of significant traffic disruptions expected during the upcoming solar eclipse. The decision, made during a recent meeting, prioritizes student safety, with officials citing concerns over emergency services being overwhelmed and the potential for lengthy delays in transporting students home.

Superintendent's communication emphasized the importance of safety, referencing a past incident in Louisville, Kentucky, where a school bus took six hours to return students home due to traffic congestion during the 2017 eclipse. To inform families, the district plans to send out an email and a video message explaining the rationale behind the closure, rather than utilizing social media.

In addition to the Calamity Day announcement, the meeting highlighted the district's efforts to address teacher recruitment challenges. Superintendent noted a collaboration with the Stark County Educational Service Center to explore a program called Teach Kentucky, aimed at attracting individuals from diverse backgrounds into the education workforce. The initiative seeks to diversify the applicant pool, ensuring that the teaching staff reflects the diverse student population.

While the district currently has no unfilled positions, there is a recognized need to enhance recruitment efforts, especially as fewer candidates are applying for teaching roles. The upcoming trip to Kentucky is intended as a learning opportunity to understand effective recruitment strategies and to foster partnerships with local colleges for future collaboration.

The Canton Local School District remains committed to ensuring the best educational environment for its students while navigating the challenges of staffing and safety.