The school system takes threats of inclement weather very seriously. We work to get the best information about the "Gwinnett" situation so that we can make the best decision in regards to the safety of our students and staff. The superintendent makes this decision based on what is really a cross-divisional and cross-agency effort.

- GCPS gets information from public safety officials, GEMA, the county, and the Department of Transportation.
- Our Facilities and Operations team heads out in the early morning hours (3:30 to 4 a.m.) driving roads around the county and assessing road conditions.
- GCPS Transportation staff also have to ensure buses are operable. (In some cases during the winter, there might not be ice on the roads, but the temperature could be such that the diesel buses have problems.)
- Additionally, Facilities and Operations staff check out school system facilities during the early morning hours and work with various power providers to make sure we have the information we need about the condition of facilities.
- Our Associate Superintendent of Educational Leadership also works with local school principals, gathering information about specific school conditions.
- Weather forecasts are monitored.
- All of our schools and central offices have weather radios to help provide information about weather watches and warnings.

It is more likely for school to be cancelled in the early morning than for school to let out early because bad weather is moving in. Decisions to release early have to be considered carefully, knowing that many children would be going home, in less-than-perfect weather conditions, often to empty houses as parents might still be at work. That's a great concern, especially with our younger students.

As a rule, the decision to cancel school is made before 6 a.m. If school is cancelled or the opening is delayed, the school system immediately notifies all major radio and television stations in the Atlanta area. In addition, school closings are announced on GCPS TV and posted on the school system’s Web site, weather permitting.

Various school system leaders provide the superintendent with information from their areas, information that is used in the decision-making process. It's important to remember that the key factor in all decisions about whether or not to hold school is the safety of students and staff.

Sloan Roach
Executive Director of Communication and Media Relations
Gwinnett County Public Schools
Telephone:  770-822-6506     Fax:  770-513-6650
sloan_roach@gwinnett.k12.ga.us