Schools

Classes Canceled Tuesday for Gwinnett, Walton Schools

A Wind Advisory with low temperatures is in effect through Tuesday morning.

Update: 

GCPS spokeswoman Spokeswoman Sloan Roach released a statement saying schools will be closed Tuesday (Jan. 7) "due to the extremely cold temperatures expected overnight and concerns regarding safety and operational issues." The 12-month staff should report.

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Original post, 2 p.m.:

Written by Scott Bernarde and Kristi Reed


With morning temperatures expected in the single digits, Walton County Schools announced that classes will be cancelled Tuesday (Jan. 7), but Gwinnett County Public Schools have not announced any closings so far.

The Walton school system posted the decision on its website, and included that after-school activities will be rescheduled. All 240-day employees should report by 10 a.m.

A Wind Advisory is in effect through Tuesday morning. The low temperature is forecast to be 8 degrees, with wild chills below zero.

As of 2 p.m. Monday (Jan. 6), Gwinnett County Public Schools have not announced plans to close. As a rule, decisions on whether or not to cancel classes are made by 6 a.m.
  • Do you expect GCPS to cancel classes? When do you think they will make an announcement? Let us know in the comments.
The school system inclement weather policy reads in part:

GCPS schools and facilities may close in the event of hazardous weather or other emergencies which present threats to the safety of students, staff, or school property.

The superintendent makes the decision about school closing based on a cross-divisional and cross-agency effort, with information from public safety officials, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, Gwinnett County officials, and the state Department of Transportation. In addition, when inclement weather is an issue, members of the GCPS Facilities and Operations team head out as early as 3:30 or 4 a.m. to drive roads around the county and assess road conditions. The school system’s Transportation staff ensures that buses are operable. (Extreme cold can cause operational problems for diesel buses.) Facilities are checked in the early hours, and GCPS works with power providers, as needed. Local school principals gather information for the leadership team about specific school conditions.


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