As Tropical Storm Debby prepares to fully assert its presence, Charlotte-area school districts have preemptively decided to cancel classes, shifting the anticipated start of the academic year. The Rowan-Salisbury Schools district will remain closed, with the first day of school initially set for Thursday, August 8, now canceled due to projected rain and winds expected to bring flooding, make trees fall, and cause power outages, as detailed in a notice shared with parents. A decision regarding the resumption of classes on Friday is anticipated by the afternoon of the storm's arrival, and district leaders have committed to carefully assess the situation alongside local experts and emergency services to understand the full impact on school facilities and transportation routes, according to WCNC.
Further embracing a proactive approach, other districts are not just canceling in-person learning but are opting to move quickly to virtual platforms. The Charlotte Metro school district announced Wednesday at 1 p.m. that "Elementary, middle, and high school students are expected to participate in virtual learning activities from home using their Chromebooks," a declaration that concurrently sidestepped the necessity of physical presence amid precarious weather conditions, as reported by WBTV. Lancaster County School District similarly communicated cancellations of all Open House events slated for Thursday in a message to families.
In the Triangle area, the shutters of education will also stay drawn tight, as school districts announce closures in unison with the Charlotte area's preemptive pause. The Wake County Public School System, following its announcement on Wednesday, emphasized that no makeup days will be necessary for the time lost due to the storm. Durham Public Schools and Orange County Schools will follow suit, closing doors to students, staff, and even the public – including at Hillsborough Elementary School – because of the potential flood risks posed by Debby's arrival. These closures come amidst a wider issuance of flood watches across much of North Carolina, with warnings of rainfall ranging from 5 to 15 inches in affected regions, as noted by ABC11.
