Multiple Midlands schools dismissing students early because of severe weather threat
Lexington 2 schools will dismiss students early Monday due to the threat of severe weather, district officials said.
Students will be leaving Lexington 2 and Lexington 3 schools an hour early because of the thunderstorms that are forecast for Monday afternoon and evening, which could make bus travel hazardous, officials said in a news release.
Dismissal times for Lexington 2 will be 1:30 p.m. for elementary schools, and 2:30 p.m. for both middle and high schools, according to the release.
Lexington 3 will send students home beginning with primary school students at 1:15 p.m., followed by elementary school (1:30 p.m.), middle school (2 p.m.), and high school (2:10 p.m.), according to the district.
Additionally, all afternoon and evening activities are canceled — including athletic events, extracurricular activities, after-school programs and adult education classes, both Lexington 2 and 3 officials said.
Monday was the first day of classes for Lexington 2 schools, according to its academic calendar. Aug. 1 was the first day of classes at Lexington 3 schools.
Lexington 1, Lexington 4, Richland 1, Richland 2 and Lexington-Richland 5 have not held the first day of classes for the 2023-24 academic school year. Despite that, both Lexington-Richland 5 and Richland 1 announced that they have cancelled all after-school activities and athletic events scheduled for Monday.
The decision for an early dismissal was made in consultation with local, school and county officials on weather forecasts, according to Lexington 2 officials.
A line of severe thunderstorms is expected to push through the area late Monday afternoon and evening, according to the National Weather Service. The storms are most likely to hit the Midlands between 5 and 10 p.m.
The storms could cause numerous damaging wind gusts in excess of 60-70 mph, and tornadoes, severe hail as well as flash flooding risks are possible, the National Weather Service said. Most school districts are not allowed to operate school buses when wind gusts meet or exceed 40 mph.
“A reminder to everyone out there — please use caution on the roads during inclement weather,” the Columbia Fire Department said.
This is a developing story and it will be updated if any other school districts alter their plans.
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This story was originally published August 7, 2023 at 12:46 PM.
