While it may be useful for canceling classes before school, Crall said it could be more useful once school has started.

“I see this as working really well with the early outs; if we decide to cancel for some reason at 10 o’clock, this service will help alert parents who are at their work stations,” he said.

Notifications can be sent to parent’s e-mail in box or to an e-mail-enabled cell phone.

Letting parents know via e-mail could resolve some current problems.

“It’s just the whole flurry of schools calling in to all these media outlets. And on the other side, the media outlets with their phone lines jammed up,” said Madison-Levi.

Sometimes, it’s parents calling in to find out if school is canceled — meaning superintendents may not be able to get through to actually cancel school.

But, Madison-Levi stressed, it’s just a supplemental way to get information.

“It’s not meant to replace anything already in place,” said Madison-Levi, “[but] a lot of people have called to sign up for it.”

For information on the program, go to https://schoolalerts.iowa.gov.

Mark Newman can be reached at 683-5358 or by e-mail at mgnewman@mchsi.com.