Photo obtained via the DeKalb County Schools Facebook page

This story has been updated. 

The aftermath of Hurricane Irma in Georgia continues.

After closing school on Monday and Tuesday, DeKalb County, City Schools of Decatur and Atlanta Public Schools will close school on Sept. 13.

“The devastation of Tropical Storm Irma was acutely felt throughout DeKalb County. Vast swaths of our area remain without power, or cannot be accessed normally. Thus, we are not able to open and operate schools safely at this point,” Superintendent R. Stephen Green, said. “Safety is the main thing, and will dictate our day-to-day response. We are hopeful we can reopen schools and offices in short order.”

City Schools of Decatur Superintendent David Dude announced the news on his Facebook page, and said a formal announcement will be issued soon. A spokesperson for the school system said several of the schools are still without power. It could be a lengthy absence for students if the closures persist through the end of the week. CSD’s regularly scheduled week-long fall break starts next week on Sept. 17. Superintendent Dude said this week’s closures will not affect next week’s fall break schedule.

Georgia Power has reported that half of all DeKalb County residents are currently without power and full restoration could take several days. Here’s the full announcement from DeKalb County Schools.

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All DeKalb County School District schools and offices to remain closed on Wednesday, Sept. 13

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA. – All schools and offices in the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) will remain closed on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017. Employees are not to report to work.

“The devastation of Tropical Storm Irma was acutely felt throughout DeKalb County. Vast swaths of our area remain without power, or cannot be accessed normally. Thus, we are not able to open and operate schools safely at this point,” said R. Stephen Green, DCSD superintendent/CEO. “Safety is the main thing, and will dictate our day-to-day response. We are hopeful we can reopen schools and offices in short order.”

DeKalb County was among the areas hardest hit in Greater Atlanta by Tropical Storm Irma. A review today of the impact to the district uncovered the following issues:
•    Nearly half of DCSD schools remain without power. According to power company representatives, it could be days before power is restored some of those neighborhoods.
•    Approximately 23 schools have major roof-related issues such as fallen trees on the roof.
•    Approximately 33 schools have significant barriers to transportation access such as trees in the road.
•    None of the district’s administrative buildings, including its technology and internet hub, have power.

Teams of DCSD employees have been visiting schools, assessing the status of schools and developing contingencies when possible.

“I am thankful to our dedicated employees for working hard to bring us back up to speed, including those who have power and are working from home,” Green said. “As always, we’re working hard to serve students.”

DCSD will continue to announce updates via its website at www.dekalbschoolsga.org and through its mobile app and accounts on Facebook and Twitter.

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