Fulton County Schools: How is the decision made to close?

Photos from Georgia residents in North Georgia and Atlanta during the snow storm of January 29, 2014. Snow started around noon on Tuesday and spread across North Georgia covering the ground, closing schools and businesses and creating gridlock on the roadways.

Credit: WSBTV Viewers

Credit: WSBTV Viewers

Photos from Georgia residents in North Georgia and Atlanta during the snow storm of January 29, 2014. Snow started around noon on Tuesday and spread across North Georgia covering the ground, closing schools and businesses and creating gridlock on the roadways.

Fulton County Schools officials cancelled classes for Tuesday as forecasts for metro Atlanta call for up to 2 inches of snow beginning late tonight.

Who makes the decision?

The superintendent has the final say in school closings and bases a decision on recommendations from staff and the following factors:

• Road conditions

• Time of weather’s arrival

• Weather forecasts

• Building and parking lot conditions

• Temperature and wind-chill

• Probability of buses being able to transport students

When is a decision made?

Scheduled meetings take place beginning at 4:30 p.m. the day before expected weather is to arrive. The Fulton County Schools Transportation Department makes contact with various safety organizations to get initial information about weather conditions and the possible effects on roads and schools. A final decision to close schools is made no later than 6 a.m. the following day.

How do parents find out?

Radio and television stations get contacted by the Fulton County Schools Communications Department as soon as the superintendent makes a decision. The information is then posted to the school system's websiteTwitter, which you can follow at @FultonCountySchools, and on the school Facebook account. Individual school's Facebook and Twitter accounts can provide more specific information.

WSB Radio at 750 on the AM dial also broadcast lists of closings.

You can find information about Fulton County schools, such as test scores, graduation rates, and school climate ratings at the Ultimate Atlanta School Guide.