Inclement Weather Information

To ensure the safety of students and staff, Forsyth County Schools follows a comprehensive, well established process when there is consideration of a school closure or delayed opening due to inclement weather.

Weather forecasts are continuously monitored. In addition, the director of transportation evaluates and tests road conditions along bus routes, and the facilities and maintenance department check school buildings for power, heat, and operational readiness. District leadership also consults with local and state law enforcement agencies and neighboring school systems to better understand regional road and safety conditions.

The safety of all Forsyth County students and staff is the primary concern. Conditions can vary widely across the district, even when roads appear clear in some neighborhoods. The following factors are carefully reviewed:

• Road conditions, including icing or potential icing, as reported by transportation staff and law enforcement
• Timing, duration, and amount of snow or ice
• Current weather conditions and short term forecasts
• School building conditions, including power and heat
• Ability of essential staff, including those who live outside the county, to safely travel to work (40% of staff live outside of Forsyth)
• Parking lot and sidewalk conditions
• Temperature and wind chill

The superintendent makes the final decision after reviewing all available information and recommendations from district staff and safety partners.

Every effort is made to reach a decision by 5:30 a.m. so families and staff have time to plan and local media outlets can be notified.

Closures or delays are communicated as soon as a decision is finalized through official district channels, including district and school websites, social media, ParentPortal email and inbox messages, and local and metro broadcast media. Depending on timing, an automated phone message may also be sent.

Families are encouraged to rely on official district communications and to verify information through more than one trusted source, particularly when viewing updates on social media.

If there is no closure or delay posted on the district website, schools are operating on a normal schedule.

If schools close during the instructional day, students will be dismissed using their normal transportation method unless alternate instructions are already on file with the school. For safety and accountability, school staff cannot accept phone calls requesting changes to dismissal plans during emergency closures. Families are encouraged to plan ahead for the possibility of an early dismissal. Notifications will be shared using the same communication methods listed above.

If school opening is delayed, families should follow the regular school routine, with start times shifted back by two hours.

No. When school closures occur, Forsyth County Schools recovers instructional time using Canvas, the district learning management system. Additional information is available on individual school websites.