Important Information about school closings in an emergency

Residents in Florida know the dangers of inclement weather, especially during the hurricane season. While very infrequent, there may be times when our schools may have to close to protect our students and be reopened as emergency shelters for the community. The superintendant in consultation with her staff and the Pinellas County Emergency Operations office makes decisions regarding the closing of public schools. Pinellas County Schools work closely with our local television and radio media outlets to inform the public when school closings occur. In addition, the district maintains its own public information telephone number that provides information on a daily basis regarding the status of schools being in session. The district website, www.pcsb.org, also provides updated information and a link to Emergency Shelter Information.

A recorded message will be provided each day regarding any changes in school openings or closings. The recording will be updated as additional information becomes available.

The following media outlets will also provide up-to-date information to the public in the event a school closing occurs or if the student day must be shortened due to emergency conditions:

• WFLA - Channel 8
• BAY NEWS - Channel 9
• WTSP - Channel 10
• WTVT - Channel 13
• WPDS - Channel 14 (Pinellas County Schools)
• WFTS - Channel 28
• WUSF - 89.7FM Radio
• WFLA - 970AM Radio

Should schools close during the day when students are already in attendance, information will be provided through the district's automated phone notification system and our local media outlets. The district emergency information telephone line (727-588-6424) will provide additional details regarding specific times for release of students or their transfer to another site if necessary during an emergency evacuation.