In case of an emergency or severe weather, Georgetown County School District (GCSD) follows a structured plan to assess whether instructional days, athletic activities, or extracurricular events have to be delayed, canceled, shifted to eLearning, rescheduled, or ended early.  The steps in the decision-making process are outlined below:

• The district’s leadership team gathers information from agencies such as the National Weather Service, Georgetown County Emergency Management, and local law enforcement. When possible, we begin tracking data days in advance. The team ensures that the most accurate and timely information is used to make a recommendation to delay, dismiss early, or close our schools.

• The final decision regarding changes to normal operations rests with the Superintendent. Several factors are considered when determining whether to close schools or adjust schedules, including:

  • The safety and wellbeing of students and staff

  • The ability to safely transport students via bus

  • The capacity for staff and families to travel safely on local roads

  • The ability to maintain academic instruction in light of the threat/hazard

  • The ability to provide meals for students/staff

  • The safety and functionality of our school buildings and offices

• In weather-related threats, wind speeds are a major consideration. Based on guidelines from the S.C. Department of Education, school buses should not operate when sustained wind speeds exceed 30 mph or when wind gusts exceed 45 mph.

  • High Winds and School Buses

  • Severe Weather Safety Suggestions for School Bus Drivers

It is important to note that altering the school day is a complex decision made with the best information available at the time.  These decisions are never taken lightly, nor are they made in haste.  Above all, the safety and well-being of our students and staff are our top priorities.

We understand that any change in our school schedule affects all families, including our employees’ families, so we are committed to providing as much notice as possible. When the district’s operational status changes, we communicate it quickly and clearly through various channels:

• The Board of Trustees is informed.

• Principals receive direct communication from district administration.

• Staff members are notified using email, text messages, and/or phone calls. Notifications use information stored in Employee Access Center.

• Families are notified using email, text messages, and/or phone calls. ­ Notifications rely on information provided during registration and stored in PowerSchool.

• The district website and social media platforms will display the announcement.

• A press release will be sent to the media to provide a wider scope of messaging.

The Governor of South Carolina may also close schools and school districts due to severe weather (such as a hurricane), a pandemic, or any other type of emergency or disaster.