Hurricane Irma: Palm Beach County Schools Delay Reopening

PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL — Palm Beach County schools now anticipate reopening on Monday Sept. 18, Superintended Robert Avossa said in a statement.

"Based on reports from my facilities team this morning, and my conversations with leaders at utility companies including Florida Power & Light, our schools will not be ready to return to service this week," Avossa said in a statement. "A majority of schools remain without power or working air conditioning systems. We anticipate reopening schools on Monday, September 18."

The schools had initially hoped to reopen by Thursday. (For more information on the rescue and other West Palm Beach stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Watch: Florida Governor: A Long Road To Recovery After Irma

"We know that crews are working overtime to restore electricity to our schools and buildings, but we have no guarantee that power will be restored to all our schools in enough time to reopen this week," Avossa said.

Avossa said time would not be taken from previously scheduled holidays, including Thanksgiving and Winter Break, to make up for missed day.

"If the schools have the electricity, we will be ready to greet everyone on Monday," Avossa said.

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