By Sara Goodie – Web Writer
All schools in the Clarke County School District are releasing their students and faculty early January 28 due to the winter storm warning issued by local National Weather Service Forecast offices.
“We were expecting snow this afternoon, so in order to ensure that our students and staff members are safe, we are having an early release day,” CCSD Director of Public Relations and Communications Anisa Jimenez said.
Yesterday, the National Weather Service said that it was unlikely for the Athens area to have any ice accumulation. However, as the day progressed, forecasters issued a winter storm watch and eventually a winter storm warning in several counties.
“We got strong evidence that there would be snow this afternoon,” Jimenez said. “The main factor (to consider) is was the students’ safety. Are the students able to get to and from school safely? And also if the buildings have the capacity to heat effectively.”
After weather reports stayed consistent, CCSD Superintendent Philip Lanoue decided to issue a half day of school.
“All weather announcements are made by 6 a.m. that morning. They’re posted in a variety of places, including the district’s Facebook and Twitter pages, the website and over 40 media outlets,” Jimenez said. Families were also directly contacted by email and phone.
Elementary schools were released at 11:30 a.m. and middle and high schools will be dismissed at 12:30 a.m. The Career Academy only lasted for the first session and staff were released by 1 p.m.
“We wanted to have them dismissed early so that parents and buses would not have to be traveling in the thick of a snowstorm,” Jimenez said.
Lanoue has announced that school will be cancelled tomorrow because of inclement weather.
“Stay safe and warm!” Jimenez said.
