Fulton school closings: How is the decision made?

From time to time, emergencies like snow or ice will prompt Fulton County Schools to shut down operations and cancel classes.

Here's information to help better understand how the decision to close is made:

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

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.

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 website, Twitter, which you can follow at @FultonCountySchools, and on the school Facebook account. Individual school's Facebook and Twitter accounts can provide more specific information.

ExploreChannel 2 Action News also keeps a list of school closings in the metro area.

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.

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Geoffrey A Cooper

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