By Delayna Earley
The Island News
Beaufort County School District (BCSD) students will learn from home Monday as forecasters warn of potentially dangerous winds sweeping across the Lowcountry.
District officials announced Sunday that Monday, March 16 will be an eLearning day, with all school buildings closed and extracurricular activities canceled or postponed due to expected severe weather.
The decision was made after consultation with Beaufort County Emergency Management, according to the district, which cited forecast wind gusts strong enough to make bus travel unsafe.
“After consultation with Emergency Management regarding forecasted winds of 75 mph that prohibit the safe travel of school buses, BCSD will have an eLearning and remote workday tomorrow,” the district said in a message to families.
Students will have five days to complete their assignments, and teachers or individual schools will provide instructions for remote learning.
The National Weather Service in Charleston is warning that a strong storm system moving through the Southeast on Monday could bring gusty winds, heavy rain and the possibility of severe thunderstorms to the South Carolina coast.
School officials said the district does not make weather-related closures lightly.
“Please know BCSD doesn’t make these decisions lightly,” the district said. “We have many factors to consider, especially inclement weather that prohibits the safe travel of school buses.”
Normal school operations are expected to resume Tuesday, March 17, according to the district.
Families with questions about the closure can contact the district at community.comments@beaufort.k12.sc.us.
Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.