The Columbia Falls School District is developing a new phone alert system for letting parents and staff know about school closures and emergency notifications.

The AlertNow Notification Service will allow district administrators to contact every household in the district with a single phone call. It's especially useful when weather could shut schools down.

Somers and Smith Valley districts implemented the AlertNow system this fall.

Until the Columbia Falls system is online, the district will work with the Flathead County Superintendent of Schools Office to relay school closure information to local radio stations. The superintendent's office will notify KOFI radio and Bee Broadcasting stations if Columbia Falls schools or bus routes are canceled due to inclement weather.

The superintendent's office will make every attempt to get school closure information to stations before 7 a.m.

Closure information will be broadcast on KOFI (1180 AM), KJJR (800 AM), KHNK (95.9 FM), KBBZ (98.5 FM), KRVO (103.1 FM), KZMN (103.9 FM), KWOL (105.1 FM) and KDBR (106.3 FM).

Closure information will also appear on the Columbia Falls School District's Web site, www.sd6.k12.mt.us.