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To call or not to call a snow day.
That is the question many school superintendents — primarily in the Midwest — have to answer during the cold, winter months, often amid the supplication of students and the prognostications of adults on social media.
Don’t forget the superstitious bedtime rituals. Who hasn’t tried the inside-out pajamas trick?
On Tuesday, after a bout of winter weather coated Sioux City, Iowa, in a half-inch of snow and freezing drizzle, Paul Gausman called off classes because of icy road conditions — the first snow day of the school year for Sioux City students.
Tuesday was also the day the Lincoln Board of Education selected Gausman, the head of Sioux City schools since 2008, to be Lincoln Public Schools’ next superintendent.
People are also reading…
A good omen for snow day enthusiasts?
I decided to do some sleuthing to find out.
On Wednesday, I called up to Sioux City to see if the district keeps track of snow day data (it does) and compared that with current LPS superintendent Steve Joel’s snow day track record.
Recall that when Joel first arrived in Lincoln more than 11 years ago, he brought with him a reputation for not calling snow days. He even wrote a letter to staff and parents saying he would not call a snow day based on a forecast.
Some years later, he rightly changed his approach, but what do the numbers show?
The Sioux City data only goes back to the 2015-16 school year, and since then, Gausman has called 18 weather-related days off. During that same time span, Joel called 17, including that unusual “wind day” last December.
Of course, there are caveats to a comparison like this.
Lincoln is not Sioux City, which lies about two hours north and east near the border of Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. Sioux City is also a lot hillier, which makes getting around on snowy days trickier.
Gausman said he likes to take on the snow day crowd in Sioux City, often engaging in playful banter with students on Twitter.
But Joel has a bit of advice for Gausman when he comes to Lincoln in July.
“I would tell him this: I would expect to get a beating on snow days in Lincoln,” Joel said. “It comes with the territory.”
Speaking of snow days, LPS has technically run out of them this school year.
Each year, the district has a surplus of required instructional hours built into the school calendar that can be used for days off for whatever reason.
Watch Now: Gausman wants to build relationships as LPS’ next superintendent
With an additional day built into fall break, the day off for those crazy storms in December and those three Fridays off in January and February, LPS would fall short of the required instructional hours at the elementary and middle school level if a snow day was called.
That doesn’t mean the district can’t call one in case of a late-winter storm.
LPS can file a waiver with the Nebraska Department of Education, which is being more flexible with instructional hours required for accreditation purposes during the pandemic. LPS high schools have already used up their surplus hours — albeit just barely.
Last year, Joel dipped into that fund of additional instructional hours quite a lot, calling five snow days during a particularly brutal winter. In Sioux City, Gausman called just three.
Now who’s the snow day stickler?
Photos: Sioux City superintendent Paul Gausman through the years
Dr. Paul Gausman

Sioux City Community School District’s new superintendent, Paul Gausman, standing outside the administrative office building on Pierce Street, Wednesday, July 9, 2008.
2015 Tri-State Governors’ Conference

Paul Gausman, Superintendent of Sioux City Community Schools, left, talks with Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, right, as Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts, center rear, speaks with an attendee during the 14th Tri-State Governors’ Conference held Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015, at the Marina Inn in South Sioux City, Nebraska. The conference, featuring Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard, is sponsored by the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce.
2016 Weight Loss Challenge final

Sioux City Community Schools Superintendent Paul Gausman and Siouxland Chamber of Commerce President Chris McGowan, kid around over a King Bing candy bar while posing for a photo Monday, April 25, 2016, at the Sioux City Journal offices in Sioux City, Iowa. The men are part of a group that have joined to challenge each other to lose weight in the new year in combination with a fundraiser for the United Way of Siouxland.
Dr. Paul Gausman

Superintendent Paul Gausman speaks during a welcome back event held for Sioux City Community Schools staff Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009, at the Long Lines Family Recreation Center. The first day of classes for Sioux City’s public schools is Thursday.
Dr. Paul Gausman

Superintendent Paul Gausman leads members of his cabinet in a rap during a welcome back event held for Sioux City Community Schools staff Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009, at the Long Lines Family Recreation Center. Doing his solo, is John Beck, director of assessment. The first day of classes for Sioux City’s public schools is Thursday.
Branstad Bullying Panel

Superintendent Dr. Paul Gausman speaks during Gov. Terry Brandstad’s Bullying Prevention Listening Tour at West High School in Sioux City, Iowa on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014.
Branstad Bullying Panel

Sioux City Superintendent Dr. Paul Gausman, center, looks on as Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, left, reacts while speaking with West High student Stephanie Diaz, right, following Reynolds’ and Gov. Terry Brandstad’s Bullying Prevention Listening Tour at West High School in Sioux City, Iowa on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014. Reynolds met Diaz on a previous visit as she met with STEM students and instructional coaches in 2013.
Bryant Elementary First Day

Superintendent Paul Gausman talks with students at Bryant Elementary School in Sioux City, Iowa, Friday, Aug. 23, 2019.
Bryant Elementary community meeting

Sioux City Schools superintendent Dr. Paul Gausman talks to Jason McCauley and Kerri Bantz during a community meeting at Bryant Elementary School Tuesday, January 28, 2014.
Career Academy expansion

Paul Gausman, Sioux City Community School District superintendent, left, talks Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018, in space in the Sioux City Public Museum building that was formerly occupied by Delta Airlines as a call center. The district has purchased the call center space and adjacent space formerly used by JCPenney to expand its Career Academy’s Career Pathways courses. At center is Jim Vanderloo, Sioux City Public Community School’s director of secondary education and activities, and at right is Brian Fahrendholz, the district’s director of operations and maintenance.
Dr. Paul Gausman

Sioux City Schools Superintendent Dr. Paul Gausman speaks about the potential closing of Central High School during a meeting Tuesday, March 31, 2009.
Dr. Paul Gausman

Sioux City Schools Superintendent Dr. Paul Gausman speaks about the potential closing of Central High School during a meeting Tuesday, March 31, 2009.
Christensen teacher of the year

Sioux City teacher Dewey Christensen reacts as superintendent Paul Gausman speaks in Christensen’s classroom Thursday, April 14, 2011. Christensen was named the Sioux City Community Schools’ teacher of the year in a surprise ceremony in his East High School classroom Thursday. also shown are Christensen’s grandchildren, Anniston Watson, 1, and Caleb Sassman, 9, and Christensen’s mother, Erma Christensen.
Gov. Culver speaks in Sioux City concerning John Morrell

Sioux City Community School district superintendent Paul Gausman addresses Iowa Gov. Chet Culver, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010, in the council chambers concerning the closing of the John Morrell plant and how it affects the school district.
Dr. Paul Gausman

Sioux City Community School District superintendent Dr. Paul Gausman performs on the conga drums during the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration program at East Middle School, Monday, Jan. 19, 2009.
East Graduation

Sioux City schools Superintendent Paul Gausman embraces his son Trevor Gausman during the East High School graduation ceremony at Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa on Tuesday, May, 26, 2015.
Dr. Paul Gausman

Dr. Paul Gausman, Sioux City Community Schools Superintendent, rehearses in preparation for the 50th anniversary concert of the Sioux City rock group The Velaires. Although not a member of the original group, Gausman will sit in on several songs for the concert.
Dr. Paul Gausman

From left, Gene Ambroson on keyboard, Oscar Ortiz (in black) on rhythm guitar, Dr. Paul Gausman, Sioux City Community Schools Superintendent, Mike King on vocals and bass guitar and Bob Dawdy on lead guitar rehearse in preparation for the 50th anniversary concert of the Sioux City rock group The Velaires. Although not a member of the original group, Gausman will sit in on several songs for the concert.
First day of school 2017

Dr. Paul Gausman, superintendent of the Sioux City Community School District, waves to bus drivers as they leave for their routes early Wednesday morning, Aug, 23, 2017, the first day of classes of the school year. Gausman has provided breakfast and waved to drivers on the first day each year since he was hired in 2008.
First day of school 2017

Dr. Paul Gausman, superintendent of the Sioux City Community School District, waves to bus drivers as they leave for their routes early Wednesday morning, Aug, 23, 2017, the first day of classes of the school year. Gausman has provided breakfast and waved to drivers on the first day each year since he was hired in 2008.
Home favorite things Paul Gausman

Some of Sioux city Community Schools Superintendent Paul Gausman’s favorite things are shown
Dr. Paul Gausman

Sioux City Schools Superintendent Dr. Paul Gausman talks to the team during a welcome home ceremony for the North High girls basketball team Sunday, March 8, 2009.
Martin Luther King Jr. rememberance

Sioux City Community Schools Superintendent Paul Gausman, left, plays conga drums with members of the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church Consecrated Mass Choir band during Martin Luther King Jr. day activities held Monday, Jan. 17, 2011, at East Middle School in Sioux City.
Dr. Paul Gausman

Sioux City Schools Superintendent Paul Gausman plays drums during a rock concert for students at Leeds Elementary Tuesday, March 31, 2009. The concert was a reward for the students who surpassed their reading goal. The 620 students read a total of 280,516 minutes, their goal was 211,250 minutes.
New teacher training

Teachers listen to a presentation by superintendent Paul Gausman during a training session for new Sioux City Public School teachers held Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013, at North Middle School.
Dr. Paul Gausman

Washington, D.C.-based federal education lawyer David De Schryver (l) Superintendent Paul Gausman and other members of the Sioux City Community School District on the latest congressional activity, specifically on No Child Left Behind.
Paul Gausman

Sioux City schools Superintendent Paul Gausman talks during an interview at his office in Sioux City, Iowa on Friday, Aug. 5, 2016.
Paul Gausman Editorial Board

Sioux City School Superintendent Paul Gausman speaks about the upcoming Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) tax levy election before the Sioux City Journal Editorial Board at the Journal in Sioux City, Iowa on Monday, Nov. 24, 2014.
Paul Gausman Editorial Board

Sioux City School Superintendent Paul Gausman speaks about the upcoming Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) tax levy election before the Sioux City Journal Editorial Board at the Journal in Sioux City, Iowa on Monday, Nov. 24, 2014.
North High science addition

North High School Science Center 4200 Cheyenne Blvd. North High School students, along with Superintendent Dr. Paul Gausman, Sioux City Community School District’s Board of Directors, and the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce celebrate the 30,000 square-foot science addition at the high school. Sioux City’s three high schools – North, West and East – each received a state-of-the-art science addition made possible through the 1-cent sales tax and community donations.
Dr. Paul Gausman

The Sioux City Community School District’s Year 13 program celebrates its new home on the campus of Western Iowa Tech Community College. The program, which was previously at the Central Campus, serves students with mild to moderate mental disabilities, ages 18-21 and focuses on community based instruction in the areas of: adult living, working and leisure situations. The students, Adam Petersen and Molly Murphy, are featured with Dr. Paul Gausman, the district superintendent.
Sioux City School District Administration Offices

Sioux City School District Administration Offices 627 Fourth St., Sioux City Superintendent Dr. Paul Gausman is shown cutting the ribbon for the Sioux City Community School District’s Educational Service Center, which moved to downtown Sioux City after more than 70 years at is previous location. The Educational Service Center houses the district’s offices of administration, educational equity, finance, human resources, instruction, and technology; as well as the English as a Second Language and Health Occupations programs for students.
School Board Bryant Elementary

Sioux City School District superintendent Dr. Paul Gausman speaks during a school board work session to view new plans for Bryant Elementary Thursday, January 16, 2014.
School Board Bryant Elementary

Sioux City School District superintendent Dr. Paul Gausman speaks during a school board work session to view new plans for Bryant Elementary Thursday, January 16, 2014.
Sioux City schools staff meeting

Dr. Paul Gausman, superintendent of Sioux City Community schools reacts while interviewing Washington Elementary students Ethan, kindergarten, and Isabella, second grade, Ford during a all-district meeting held Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010, at the Long Lines Family Center in Sioux City. The district held the meeting to welcome staff to the start of the 2010-2011 school year.
Sioux City schools staff meeting

Dr. Paul Gausman, superintendent of Sioux City Community schools, hands a Transformers toy to incoming Washington Elementary School kindergarten-student Ethan Ford after interviewing him on stage during a all-district meeting held Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010, at the Long Lines Family center in Sioux City. The district held the meeting to welcome staff to the start of the 2010-2011 school year.
Sioux City schools staff meeting

Dr. Paul Gausman, superintendent of Sioux City Community Schools, speaks during a all-district meeting held Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010, at the Long Lines Family Center in Sioux City. The district held the meeting to welcome staff to the start of the 2010-2011 school year.
School replacement meeting

Sioux City Schools Superintendent Dr. Paul Gausman speaks during a public meeting held Monday, May 7, 2012, to discuss options for replacing several Sioux City elementary schools.
School replacement meeting

Community members listen as Sioux City Schools Superintendent Dr. Paul Gausman speaks during a meeting held Monday, May 7, 2012, to discuss options for replacing several Sioux City elementary schools.
School replacement meeting

Clark Elementary School parent Cathi Swan speaks during the public comment portion of a meeting held Monday, May 7, 2012, by the Sioux City Community School District to discuss options for replacing several Sioux City elementary schools. Listening in the background is school superintendent Dr. Paul Gausman.
Sioux City virtual school

Dr. Paul Gausman, Superintendent of the Sioux City Community School District, speaks during a press conference Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, to detail the district’s plans to create a K-12 virtual school. The virtual school would be open to students across the state according to Gausman.
Sioux City virtual school 1

Paul Gausman, superintendent of the Sioux City Community School District, speaks during a news conference in 2021. Gausman will take over as superintendent of Lincoln Public Schools this summer.
Sioux City School Board

Sioux City School superintendent Paul Gausman speaks during a meeting in Sioux City, Iowa on Monday, April 10, 2017.
Spalding Park School

Incoming first-grader Aubrie Bradstreet, left, reacts as superintendent Paul Gausman, right, tells her that her classroom will be airconditioned during a public tour of Sioux City’s Spalding Park Elementary School, 4101 Stone Ave., held Monday, July 30, 2012. The new building is substantially completed and ready for the first day of classes on Aug. 16th.
Spalding Park School

Superintendent Paul Gausman leads a group during a public tour of Sioux City’s Spalding Park Elementary School, 4101 Stone Ave., held Monday, July 30, 2012. The new building is substantially completed and ready for the first day of classes on Aug. 16th.
Sunnyside Elementary Blue Ribbon

Paul Gausman, Sioux City schools Superintendent, talks to students before a ceremony at Sunnyside Elementary in Sioux City, Iowa on Tuesday, Sept., 29, 2015. The elementary was named a National Blue Ribbon School for overall academic excellence by the U.S. Department of Education.
Sioux City teacher of the year Jamey Bryce

Leeds Elementary School teacher Jamey Bryce gets a hug from Sioux City Community School District human resources director and former Leeds Elementary principal Rita Vannatta during a surprise assembly at the school Wednesday, April 8, 2015. Bryce, a second-grade teacher at the Sioux City, Iowa, school was named as the Sioux City Community School District’s 2015 teacher of the year. At right is school superintendent Paul Gausman.
Walk to school day

Sioux City Community Schools superintendent Dr. Paul Gausman, left, walks to Washington School with students and their families during a walk to school day Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011, at the Sioux City school. The walk to school event was held to promote safe routes to school as well as healthy physical activity.
Sioux City West High School Graduation

Dr. Paul Gausman, superintendent of schools for the Sioux City Community School District, lists accomplishments achieved by the graduating class of 2021 from Sioux City West High School during their commencement ceremony at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa, Saturday, May 29, 2021.
Dr. Paul Gausman press conference

Dr. Paul Gausman, Superintendent of Sioux City Community Schools, speaks during a press conference Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, at the district’s Educational Service Center. Tuesday, the Lincoln Public Schools district in Lincoln Nebraska named Gausman as their next superintendent.
Dr. Paul Gausman press conference

Dr. Paul Gausman, Superintendent of Sioux City Community Schools, speaks during a press conference Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, at the district’s Educational Service Center. Tuesday, the Lincoln Public Schools district in Lincoln Nebraska named Gausman as their next superintendent.
Dr. Paul Gausman press conference

Dr. Paul Gausman, Superintendent of Sioux City Community Schools, attaches news microphones to his jacket before speaking at a press conference Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, at the district’s Educational Service Center. Tuesday, the Lincoln Public Schools district in Lincoln Nebraska named Gausman as their next superintendent.
Dr. Paul Gausman press conference

Dr. Paul Gausman, Superintendent of Sioux City Community Schools, speaks during a press conference Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, at the district’s Educational Service Center. Tuesday, the Lincoln Public Schools district in Lincoln Nebraska named Gausman as their next superintendent.
Contact the writer at zh[email protected] or 402-473-7225. On Twitter @zach_hammack
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