School Districts across the Big Bend will re-open later this week in the wake of Hurricane Irma. Many schools served shelters before and after the storm.
Public schools are some of the most secure structures in the state, built to withstand emergency conditions. And during Hurricane and later Tropical Storm Irma, many of those buildings became shelters. Now they’re slowly starting to transition back.
Leon County schools will reopen Thursday for students, says Superintendent Rocky Hanna.
“Wednesday will be a normal workday for all our teachers and staff members…then Thursday morning we will welcome all of our 34,000 students back to school.”
Hanna says the district hosted some 3,000 evacuees from across the state at its facilities during the storm.
“Last night alone we housed over 3,000 residents both from South Florida and here locally to give them shelter throughout the storm. I cannot thank you enough," he said.
Schools in the region are undergoing structure and safety checks. Wakulla County schools will also reopen Thursday for students. Gulf will be open Wednesday, while Taylor, Jefferson, Franklin and Madison are planning to welcome students back to school Monday, September 18th.
Gadsden officials say they will notify parents electronically.
Florida A&M University, Tallahassee Community College and Florida State University will open their doors to students Monday.
Governor Rick Scott mandated the closure of all public schools, colleges and universities across the state last week in advance of the storm.
