Department Communication Tools

FCS PR HB581 OPT OUT

FCS PR HB581 INTENT

The following Expectations for Communicating Electronically complement the district's Responsible Use Guidelines and the Code of Ethics for Educators.

Does the communication pass the TAP Test?

• The communication is Transparent. As a public school district, we are expected to maintain openness, visibility, and accountability with regard to all communications. 
• The communication is Accessible. Communication is a matter of public record and/or maybe accessible by others. 
• The communication is Professional. Communication should be written as a professional representing FCS. This includes word choices, tone, grammar, and subject matter that model the standards and integrity of an FCS professional.  

Acceptable Communications Methods*

• District Email and Phone: When communicating as an FCS employee, use district email and phones, not personal phones or personal email accounts. When emailing large groups, such as parents/guardians, staff should use the bcc line for emails. Text messaging or instant messaging students and parents from personal phones or accounts are also not accepted. When using district email and voice mail, please note that these records of communication are subject to Open Records. As such, do not use them for personal social media or personal distribution lists, such as those for shopping sites or banking.
• School and District Websites: All schools, including academic programs, and district departments must use Finalsite WCM for website hosting and content management.
• Social Media for Instructional Purposes:  All schools have been provided Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts, and a YouTube channel, while high schools have LinkedIn pages. Any content staff members publish, pictures they post, or dialogue they maintain, whether in a professional or personal social media account, a blog, a discussion thread or other websites should never compromise the professionalism, integrity, and ethics in their role as an FCS professional. A good question that staff members should ask themselves before posting is, “Would I mind if that information appeared on the front page of the local newspaper?” If the answer is “yes,” then do not post it.
• ParentPortal/Campus Messenger

*NOTE: FCS staff should not post student photos or videos on their personal social media accounts/websites. Parents/guardians may decline the inclusion of student photographs under the FERPA Directory Notice Information and student publicity consent is only for school/district use. 

To ensure the safety of our students and staff, FCS has a comprehensive plan that is executed when there is consideration of a school closing or delay due to inclement weather.

WHO IS WATCHING THE WEATHER?

The superintendent and administrative staff carefully monitor weather conditions during seasons of inclement weather. District personnel collaborate with government and community safety officials when inclement weather is occurring. 

WHERE DO THEY GET THEIR INFORMATION?
The school district staff listens to weather forecasts. The director of transportation monitors and tests road conditions on bus routes and our maintenance department checks school power conditions. Local and state law enforcement agencies and neighboring school systems are consulted about road conditions. 

WHAT FACTORS ARE CONSIDERED WHEN MAKING THE DECISION TO CLOSE SCHOOL?
The safety of all Forsyth County children is the primary concern.  Even if it looks clear on your street, dangerous conditions may exist in some other part of the district.  In deciding whether the children will be safe, the following factors are considered:

• Information on road conditions from the director of transportation and law enforcement agencies, including whether roads are iced or icing;  
• Time snow or ice starts and the amount; 
• Weather predictions; 
• Building conditions (e.g., whether we have power and heat);
• Abilities of key personnel who live out of district to safety travel to work;   
• Parking lot and sidewalk conditions; and  
• Temperature and wind-chill factor.  

WHO MAKES THE DECISION?
The superintendent of schools is responsible for making the final decision, based on the above factors and recommendations from the district staff.

WHEN IS THE DECISION MADE?
The superintendent tries to make the decision by 5:30 a.m. so that the broadcast media can be notified.

HOW IS THE PUBLIC NOTIFIED?
Closings are announced on the school district and school websites and social media, and on local and metro broadcast media outlets. A ParentPortal email and inbox message are sent and depending on the time of closing, an automated voice message is sent. You should verify the information by checking two sources, especially when relying on social media for information. 

IF THERE IS NO CLOSING MESSAGE ON FCS' WEBSITE, THEN SCHOOL IS OPEN. 

WHAT IF SCHOOL CLOSES DURING THE DAY?
If school closes during the school day all students will be sent home in the usual manner (bus, day-care van, etc.) unless other directions are on file with the teacher. School staff will not accept phoned directions during emergency closures. Parents/guardians should plan in advance for early school closings. The public will be notified by the same methods listed above.

WHAT IF SCHOOL OPENING IS DELAYED?
If school opening is delayed, please follow the same routine/schedule as normal, but push back the start time by two hours. 

ARE THERE INCLEMENT WEATHER DAYS BUILT INTO THE CALENDAR?
No, FCS recovers lost instructional time due to school closings by using Canvas, the district’s learning management system. For more information see your school's website. 

Public education is a State and local partnership. Annually, the Forsyth County Board of Education approves Legislative Priorities to guide their work and collaboration with the local legislative delegation. 

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019 

2018

Prior priorities are posted on BOE meeting agendas.

FCS values its partnership with the media and is committed to fostering open communication. We welcome opportunities to collaborate with journalists.

Media inquiries and staff/student interview requests should be directed to Michele Dugan at 770.887.2461 ext. 203363. 

Please click here to see the 2024-25 Noteworthy Dates

The Communications Department is designated by the Superintendent to handle all Open Records requests. Due to the legal time constraints involved in Open Records Law, all such requests shall be immediately forwarded to, Michele Dugan, Open Records Officer, 1120 Dahlonega Highway, Cumming, GA 30040. 

We do not handle student (current/former) record requests, including subpoenas or legal requests for the production of records. Visit the student records office. 

Process

In cases where a member of the public has a right to inspect, have access to extracts, or ask for copies of public records or documents, such person shall have the right of access to the records only while in the presence and under the control of the custodian of such records. All examination of records and documents shall be done under the supervision of the custodian of the records, who shall have the right to enforce reasonable rules governing the work. 

The work shall be done in the location specified by the custodian. Charges for making photographs or reproductions of records or documents will be calculated at $.10 per copy and a per hour charge for the employee supervising the review of records. In addition, a reasonable charge may be collected for search, retrieval, and other direct administrative costs for complying with a request and provided to the requestor prior to the start of said work, along with an estimated timeframe for the completion of the work. The hourly charge shall not exceed the salary of the lowest paid full-time employee who, at the discretion of the custodian of the records, has the necessary skill and training to perform the request. There shall be no charge for the first quarter-hour.

Staff Information

Additionally, in order to protect the confidential rights of all employees, no record or document shall be released with information that would not be construed to be an open record pursuant to O.C.G.A. 50-18-70. Certain personal information shall not be disclosed unless otherwise excepted by law or written consent of the subject employee, including the following: home mailing and email address, home telephone number, social security number, insurance information, medical information, mother’s birth name, day and month of birth, credit card or debit card numbers, bank account or driver’s license information, financial data or information, confidential job performance evaluations and reference checks of employees. When responding to request for information, the above items shall be redacted from the materials provided if possible.

Student Information 

• Policy JR: Student Records
• Request Current and Former Student Records

Five Ways to Connect With Us on Social Media! 

1. Facebook: @FCSchools

2. X: @FCSchoolsGA

3. Instagram: ForsythCoSchoolsGA

4. LinkedIn: Forsyth County Schools (Georgia)

5. YouTube: Forsyth County Schools (Georgia)

Please select a State of the Schools Magazine below by year:

• 2024-25 State of the Schools
• 2023-24 State of the Schools
• 2022-23 State of the Schools
• 2021-22 State of the Schools