Neither heavy rain nor threat of snow would cause Georgia’s largest school system to end classes early Friday, to the dismay of many on social media.
A #closegwinnett Twitter hashtag, bashing Gwinnett County's decision to keep classes open, had become quite popular on the site Friday.
Many who used the hashtag complained that Gwinnett should close classes early, as had about every other metro Atlanta school district. Some were concerned about middle school students since their classes end shortly after 4 p.m., particularly since state transportation officials urged motorists to stay off roads between 3 and 6 p.m. in metro Atlanta so crews could treat them with brine.
“Words you’ll never hear: Gwinnett county schools want you to be safe,” one person wrote on Twitter.
However, there were some parents who praised the school district on Facebook for its decision. Gwinnett officials said on Facebook they arrived at high schools early Friday and expected to be five to 10 minutes ahead of schedule dropping off elementary and middle school students because many of their school buses were on standby.
“It is above freezing; stop panicking,” one person wrote on Facebook.
Gwinnett school district spokeswoman Sloan Roach said officials monitor weather forecasts throughout the day and determine if conditions are unsafe for students and faculty to be on campus. The school district did postpone after-school activities Friday and Saturday, which included SAT testing.
In past years, Gwinnett has frequently remained open during inclement weather or warnings of rough weather.
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