During the winter months, parents and employees often have questions about how decisions are made to close school due to inclement weather. Below are frequently asked questions and their answers.

NOTE: Parents and employees should assume that school is in session and operating on normal schedules unless the Fulton County School System web site carries information to the contrary and/or the TV/radio stations listed below have been notified by school system officials.

Who is watching the weather?

The superintendent and administrative staff carefully watch the weather conditions during seasons of possible inclement weather.

Where do they get their information?

Our school district staff begins monitoring information from the National Weather Service, the Georgia Department of Transportation and other local emergency agencies as early as 2 a.m. when inclement weather is a possibility. The school system’s Transportation Department also begins testing road conditions on our bus routes. We must give careful consideration to the most dangerous bus routes in the district. So, even if it looks clear on your street, dangerous conditions may exist in other parts of our county.

What factors are considered when making the decision to close school?

The safety of all children is our primary concern in making the decision to close school. In deciding whether children will be safe, we look at the following factors: 

• Information on road conditions from the director of transportation and from law enforcement and emergency agencies, including whether roads are icy;
• Time snow or ice starts and the amount;
• Weather forecasts;
• Building conditions, such as whether schools have power and heat;
• Parking lot conditions;
• Temperature and wind-chill; and
• The ability or feasibility of school buses being able to operate at extremely cold temperatures.

Who makes the decision?

The superintendent is responsible for the final decision based on the above factors and recommendations from district staff. With the advice of staff members and emergency agencies, the superintendent will make a timely decision whether to close schools.

When is the decision made?

The decision is made by 6 a.m., except in the situations when inclement weather may force school closings during the school day, so that radio and TV stations can be notified.

How are our communities notified?

Radio and television stations will be contacted by the Fulton County Schools Communications Department as soon as the decision is made. The information also will be posted to the school system’s web site as soon as possible – www.fultonschools.org.

Below are the primary TV and radio stations that will be notified of Fulton County School System closings:

What if school closes during the day?

Parents should make sure that their child’s teacher has a written explanation on file of what their student should do in the event that school closes during the day. If school closes during the day all students will be sent home on their regular bus or daycare van unless other directions are on file. School staff cannot accept phoned-in directions.

Will there be make-up days for students and employees?

If schools are closed due to inclement weather or emergency, the superintendent has the discretion to decide if and when make-up days will be needed according to state guidelines.

When schools are closed due to weather or an emergency, employees should not report to work unless required by his or her immediate supervisor. Employees should listen for radio and television announcements and check the school system’s web site – www.fultonschools.org – for school closings. All employees will receive a telephone call from their administrator or a designee.

All employees assigned and paid to work a specified number of days also are required to satisfy the contract and assignment days for which they are paid. The Human Resources Department will issue communications that will designate make-up days for employees.