Many factors determine when a school closes, starts late because of weather 

Several times this winter as forecasts warned of bitter cold temperatures and wind chills, students and parents anxiously waited for news that school would be canceled or delayed two hours.

That announcement came just once for Pequot Lakes and Nisswa school students, after a storm left icy roads and prompted many area schools to cancel classes that day.

Pine River-Backus students, on the other hand, have seen several delayed starts on top of the one canceled school day.

Cathy Bettino, PR-B superintendent, said many, many variables go into the decision.