West Columbia, SC 08/29/2023 - Lexington Two schools has announced that its schools and offices will be open a half-day on Wednesday, August 30, already a planned early release day, and will have a two-hour delayed start on Thursday, August 31, due to inclement weather forecasts associated with Idalia. The National Weather Service’s current predicted storm path shows that Hurricane Idalia will make landfall in Florida on Tuesday and then weaken as it makes its way across land in Georgia and South Carolina Wednesday and into Thursday. Although the predicted path of the storm shows the strongest portion of it will track southeast of Lexington County, heavy rains and high winds could still affect this area.
The issue with this type of weather for schools usually revolves around student transportation. Although the district's buildings are built to withstand severe weather, school busses come from the manufacturer with a wind warning for safe operations. Because of the high, flat sides of a bus, they can act as a sail during high winds causing the bus to be hard to control. If wind gust are high enough, school busses can be prone to tipping over without warning. For this reason, schools usually cancel classes, modify schedules, and close schools during the periods where high winds are anticipated.
Wednesday’s early release times are 11:30am for elementary schools, 12:30pm for middle and high schools. All afternoon and evening activities are canceled on Wednesday, including athletic events, extracurricular activities, after-school programs, Boys and Girls Clubs, and adult education classes.
On Thursday, the district will operate on a two-hour delayed start, to allow district officials time to assess transportation routes and school facilities. Buses will operate two hours later than their normal morning operation times. Students who are dropped off by car should arrive two hours later than normal as well.
As a result of the two-hour delayed start, all 3- and 4-year-old half-day child development classes are canceled.
The decision was made after consulting with local, county, and state officials regarding expected heavy rains and winds associated with Idalia.
The district will continue to monitor weather forecasts and conditions. Should any further changes be necessary, the district will communicate them through our communications phone and email systems, as well as social media, websites, and traditional media.
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