Winter Weather and the Decision to Close Schools
When winter weather is approaching, the decision to close schools, delay opening or send students home early is very complex.
Safety is our number one priority. Being responsible for the safety of more than 134,000 students and 17,000 employees is an immense task. We often see vastly different weather patterns occurring simultaneously throughout the county. Some sections of the county may be icy while others are dry. Some may lose power while others do not. But it is important to keep in mind that the decision has to be made for the entire school system and not a single school or group of schools.
As soon as a final decision is made, we immediately contact the local media. You can tune in to your favorite television or radio station for information. Additionally, you can call our school system’s main number at 850-1600. Schools typically update the school’s main phone line with a message to reflect the closing or delay status, as well.
However, the best way to get immediate information is to log onto our website. While there, you may want to sign up for our online e-mail notification service. Once you are signed up, you will receive an e-mail notification immediately after a decision has been made.