School districts across North Central Florida have told students and staff to stay home for the next few days as the area waits to see the impact of Tropical Storm Idalia.
Most area school districts have chosen to close Tuesday and Wednesday, but Duval County extended closure through Thursday.
Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) was in frequent contact with Emergency Services over the weekend and through Monday to determine whether buses will be able to operate safely and whether schools will be needed as shelters, according to district spokeswoman Jackie Johnson.
Johnson said staff also prepared school buildings for the oncoming storm by putting away outdoor furniture, cleaning storm drains and laying down sandbags, similar to residential preparations.
ACPS will wait until the storm has passed to make a definite decision on when to reopen, depending on Idalia’s impact on school facilities, roadway accessibility and other considerations.
The following school districts have reported closings:
- Columbia County Schools will be closed Tues., Aug. 29 and Wed., Aug. 30
- Dixie County Schools will be closed Tues., Aug. 29 and Wed., Aug. 30
- Gilchrist County Schools will be closed Tues., Aug. 29 and Wed., Aug. 30
- Levy County Schools will be closed Tues., Aug. 29 and Wed., Aug. 30
- Suwannee County Schools will be closed Tues., Aug. 29 and Wed., Aug. 30
Other Alachua County school closures include the University of Florida, Santa Fe College, Oak Hall School and St. Francis Catholic Academy.