Dallas ISD Stays Closed Thursday as Other Districts Reopen

Dallas ISD will remain closed Thursday as dangerous cold and icy conditions continue across North Texas, even as several neighboring districts prepare to welcome students back to campuses.

The district announced the closure Wednesday afternoon, citing safety concerns for students and staff despite improved weather conditions.

“Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety of students, Dallas ISD will remain closed, Thursday, Jan. 29,” the district said in a statement. “Our crews continue to work around the clock to clear walkways and parking lots despite significant improvements in weather and road conditions. Also, many neighborhood streets and sidewalks remain difficult to navigate, particularly for our buses.”

Dallas ISD joins Plano ISD, Denton ISD, and Lewisville ISD in extending closures through Thursday. Sherman, Farmersville, and Northwest ISDs also announced Thursday closures. Mansfield ISD added its name to the closure list early Thursday morning after the district could not get buses out of its transportation facility.

The closures affect thousands of North Texas families as school districts take varying approaches to the lingering winter weather conditions.

Several major districts chose to reopen Thursday, creating a patchwork of closures across the region. Fort Worth ISD, Arlington ISD, Lancaster ISD, DeSoto ISD, and Grapevine-Colleyville ISD all plan to resume normal operations.

Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Molinar posted a video to the district’s Facebook page announcing the reopening decision.

“We’re excited to welcome our students and staff back to school this Thursday. We can’t wait to see smiling faces in the hallways, hear the buzz of learning again, and get back to the routines that make our schools so special,” the video caption read.

Arlington ISD credited improved road conditions for its decision to reopen.

“Thanks to the warmer temperatures and sunshine today that helped improve roadway conditions, Arlington ISD schools and offices will open,” the district said. “There could still be a few slick spots here and there tomorrow, so we encourage everyone to be cautious coming in. We can’t wait to see our students in the morning.”

Lancaster ISD acknowledged remaining hazards while proceeding with reopening plans.

“While most streets and campus areas are clear of ice, there may still be some isolated areas, particularly in shaded locations, where snow and ice remain. On our campuses, these areas will be clearly blocked off to help ensure safe access for students, staff, and families,” the district said.

The weather conditions prompted local news meteorologists to extend Weather Alert Days through Thursday morning as dangerous cold, freezing fog, and icy roadways remain concerns across the region.

Dallas ISD said families will receive updates about Friday operations through the district’s website, official social media channels, calls, texts, and local media as officials continue monitoring conditions.

District officials across North Texas say they are continuing to assess weather conditions and will provide updates as needed. The varied responses highlight the challenge school administrators face when balancing student safety with educational continuity during winter weather events.