Although most of the wintry weather predicted over the weekend has moved out, the possibility of ice and sleet remains. Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said with winds gusting in the 20-30 mph range, the northeast metro could see icy roads come Monday morning.
What does that mean for area schoolchildren?
The largest school district in the state said it’s too early to tell.
“While we hope the wintry weather in the forecast misses us, we do have processes in place to monitor the weather in order to make decisions on if or how it may affect our ability to hold school,” said Gwinnett County Schools spokeswoman Sloan Roach. “The key factor in all decisions about whether or not to hold school is the safety of students and staff.”
Gwinnett County Public Schools makes decisions regarding school closures due to inclement weather based on information from public safety officials, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, county officials and the Department of Transportation, said Roach.
“In addition, when inclement weather is an issue, members of (Gwinnett Schools’) Facilities and Operations team head out as early as 3:30 or 4 a.m. to drive around the county to assess road conditions. Facilities are checked in the early hours, and GCPS works with power providers, as needed. “
Roach added it’s more likely for the decision to cancel school to come in the early morning — due to hazardous road conditions that formed overnight.
“Typically, the decision to cancel school is made before 6 a.m. Announcements about school closures or delays are shared on GCPS TV, on the school system’s website, on Twitter and Facebook, through School Messenger calls and optional texts, and via metro-Atlanta new media outlets.” she said.
Forsyth County Schools are also in a wait-and-see mode.
“There’s no decision yet,” she said early Sunday evening. “We typically do announcements no later than 5:30 am the day of school. We begin at 4 a.m. checking the roads and schools.”
Both Gwinnett and Forsyth offer online learning in the event of school closings. Whether that will be implemented Monday, will be determined in the morning.
Meanwhile, north of those two counties, Habersham County announced that schools would be closed Monday.
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