Fulton Schools Make Decision On Jan 19 Classes

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — Unsafe road conditions throughout the area have forced the Fulton County School System to remain closed for Friday, Jan. 19 for students and school-based staff, the district said Thursday. However, 12-month employees will have to report to work on a two-hour delay.

"If necessary, personal leave may be used in lieu of reporting, and employees should alert their supervisor if such a need arises," the system added.

School system maintenance, police and transportation crews spent Thursday traveling the county to inspect road and school campus conditions with the intention of resuming classes on Friday. Despite local road crews’ efforts to improve road surfaces with salt and sand, "it was determined too many secondary roads throughout the county are still not clear enough to safely transport children on school buses," the system added.

Next week the school district will announce its strategy for making up instructional time, which will be a combination of traditional and innovative methods. Residents are reminded to stay tuned to local media outlets, the school system’s Twitter and Facebook channels and the district website for any change in information.

While travel conditions have improved dramatically around the county, there are still areas where snow and ice remain hazardous to motorists. Any moisture on the roads that did not dry up Thursday will refreeze, meaning drivers will have to watch out for black ice if they venture out Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

"If you must travel today through Friday morning, please exercise extreme caution," NWS adds in its special weather statement. "Slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination."

According to a public information statement outlining unofficial accumulation totals around Georgia, various parts of Fulton County received anywhere from 1 to 2 inches of snow.

As for the rest of the week, Thursday's low will dip down to around 21 degrees for Fulton, the forecast shows. Friday's forecast call for sunny skies with a high around 49 degrees and a low around 28.

The weekend's forecast is a dramatic improvement from the winter weather deluge. You can expect mostly sunny skies, with a high of 53 on Saturday and 61 on Sunday. Lows will be 35 and 42 degrees, respectively.

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