TRACKING DEBBY: School districts cancel first day of classes while others monitor conditions

NORTH CAROLINA — Several local school districts have canceled their first day of classes as Tropical Strom Debby makes its way to our area.

>>Keep an eye on the full closures list by clicking this link.

Stanly County Schools was scheduled for its first day of classes on Thursday. But in a Facebook post, the district said schools will be closed for students on Thursday and Friday.

The decision was made after talking to emergency management officials, the post reads.

No athletic events will be held on Thursday or Friday. The first day of school for students will now be on Monday.

Rowan-Salisbury Schools said their first day of classes Thursday has also been canceled. In a Facebook post, district officials said they will make a decision about Friday by 3 p.m. Thursday.

Thursday is an optional workday for Rowan-Salisbury Schools staff.

Districts monitor Debby

Thursday is the first day of school for students in Fort Mill and Rock Hill unless Tropical Debby takes a turn for the worst, officials said.

“It’s a tropical storm, at this point,” said Jack Weaverling, a parent. “The wind gusts aren’t too high. I’m excited for him to start school.”

Parent Tiyalah Williamson doesn’t believe it’s safe enough.

VIDEO BELOW: Wednesday night’s forecast update

TRACKING: TS Debby's Wednesday night's forecast with Chief Meteorologist John Ahrens

“Just call it out,” she said. “No school tomorrow because if it is storming and stuff like that, it’s a lot worse for kids to be out there so, rather they be safe at home.”

Channel 9′s Glenn Counts reached out to Rock Hill Schools about their decision to start as scheduled.

“Yeah, I think we all have been making lots of adjustments over the last how many other adjustments with the board of education, so this is just another adjustment,” said parent Katherin Watkins.

Victoria Gordon and her daughter, Ava, live in Lancaster where school doesn’t start there until next week, so she’s glad she doesn’t have to worry about keeping her out.”

“I would keep her out as a mom,” Gordon said. “You always want to protect your kids and you never know so they would be home with me.”

A Rock Hill Schools spokesperson sent this statement:

“If we see the weather taking a turn for an unsafe situation, we will consult again and make another decision. At that time if we canceled school or changed our schedule, we would immediately text, call, and email our families and staff. We would also put an alert on our website and out to all local media organizations.”

The Fort Mill School District posted this to Facebook:

“The district is monitoring the weather forecast. At this time, we do not foresee any changes to our school schedule. However, should changes be needed, we will communicate with parents and staff via text, email, phone call, and our district and school websites.

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• Hurricane Debby: Storm washes $1M in cocaine ashore
• What you should do now to prepare for hurricanes
• Tropical storm Debby threatens flood-prone Charleston
• 2 local school districts cancel first day of classes ahead of Tropical Storm Debby
• How Charlotte FD’s water rescue team is helping with Tropical Storm Debby efforts

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