Education commissioner explains decision to close schools

Extra police officers will patrol the streets of today to make sure no school children are waiting in the cold for school buses.

School is cancelled statewide due to the extremely cold weather. Gov. Dayton announced the decision Friday and districts also tried to spread that message far and wide over the weekend.

Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius says it's an unusual situation for families and businesses are doing their part to make it work.

"Business have been just terrific stepping up and having employees either be able to take the day off or work at home, or they've closed themselves," she said. "So we think this is very, very serious and children need to stay home, stay inside and stay warm."

Cassellius says she will talk later today with superintendents about the weather situation tomorrow, which currently shows little improvement in temperatures.

Click the audio player above to hear Cassellius speak with MPR News' Cathy Wurzer.