Bald Knob Public Schools Has Temporary Plan for Today’s Storm, Clarifies Storm Shelter Access and Automated System

Bald Knob Public Schools is working to address concerns about public access to the storm shelter located at the elementary school, particularly how and when the doors unlock during severe weather.

Temporary Access Plan

In response to community concerns, school officials have confirmed that the shelter doors will be manually opened this evening (April 4, 2025) to ensure public access, regardless of where a tornado warning is issued.

How the Storm Shelter System Works

Currently, the shelter doors are automatically programmed to unlock when a tornado warning is issued within the city limits of Bald Knob. However, with severe weather being unpredictable, school officials recognize the need for a broader access range.

To improve the system, the district is collaborating with county and state officials to adjust the settings so that the shelter doors will unlock when a tornado warning is issued within a certain number of miles from Bald Knob, rather than only when the warning is within city limits. As of now, those updates have not been implemented, and the district does not have direct control over changing the system’s parameters.

Who is Responsible for Unlocking the Doors?

There has been some confusion in the community about who is responsible for opening the shelter doors during a storm. According to the district, the system is fully automated, meaning that neither Bald Knob Public Schools personnel nor city officials manually unlock the shelter when severe weather occurs. The goal of this system is to ensure that staff can prioritize safety without needing to be on-site to open the shelter.

Ongoing Improvements

Bald Knob Public Schools has stated that adjusting the shelter system’s range remains a priority, and they are actively working with the appropriate agencies to make those changes. Updates will be shared with the community as progress is made.

For now, residents are encouraged to stay weather-aware and take necessary precautions as severe weather season continues.

To view the School’s recent update, click here.