POLK county schools closed Monday

[Josephine96]

Polk County Schools Close Over Wilma Concerns

POSTED: 2:23 pm EDT October 21, 2005
UPDATED: 2:27 pm EDT October 21, 2005

Polk County public schools will be closed Monday, Oct. 24 for all students and staff as a precaution for Hurricane Wilma, according to a news release.

School officials made the decision to close schools based on current weather information and collaboration with government and public safety agencies, including the Polk County Emergency Operations Center.

All extra-curricular activities and events, including athletics, scheduled for Monday, Oct. 24 have been suspended.

Officials said if it becomes necessary to cancel school for Tuesday, Oct. 25, an announcement will be made by 1 p.m., Monday, Oct. 24.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.

I kinda find that a little interesting.. Makes ya wonder if this things gonna go a little further north than anticipated

[gatorcane]

Gosh that is an early call. Palm Beach county here is notorious for waiting until the last minute.

[Foladar0]

Tropical Storm force winds could extend far north, so it isn't that bad .. I know Miami-Dade are deciding tomm @ 1pm i think it was said.

[Josephine96]

Makes you wonder if the rest of Central Florida may follow suit.. or at least Osceola or Brevard county..

[MiamiensisWx]

This here definately makes me wonder. Polk County is well inland and in the middle of central Florida. Wilma is expected to pass to the south of Polk County. While Polk County is deciding to make an early decision and close schools on Monday, how come Palm Beach County, which will likely be closer to Wilma, has not decided to close schools on Monday and instead is saying they will wait to make a decision? Even the Florida Keys (offshore and mainland Monroe County) and other counties on the southwest coast of Florida and, possibly, counties on the east coast (Miami-Dade County notably) are/likely will taking actions.

Very odd... FCAT is really plaguing the Palm Beach County School District, who is being pressured, I think, too hard on FCAT preparation and the like.

Who agrees?

[Josephine96]

I don't have a clue.. Maybe they think the storm will actually come in further north..

[jkt21787]

I wouldn't take school district decisions on implications for a future track. They are probably the least credible source you could get.

[MiamiensisWx]

I don't have a clue.. Maybe they think the storm will actually come in further north..

True... however, then, how come Monroe County and the Keys are taking up the possibility of closing schools while Palm Beach County, which is much further north, isn't?

[gatorcane]

Polk is clearly within the cone. It could easily get close or go through polk.

Latest model runs have shifted north some. New NHC track may shift north accordingly. I'm guessine a 25-50 mile shift north at 11pm

[CharleySurvivor]

Nothing is more precious then our little pumkins

Better be safe and close the schools IMO.

[MiamiensisWx]

Polk is clearly within the cone. It could easily get close or go through polk.

Latest model runs have shifted north some. New NHC track may shift north accordingly. I'm guessine a 25-50 mile shift north at 11pm

Maybe... however, how come Monroe County, which is much more further south and closer to/on the southern tip of Florida, is making preparations to close schools? This means that Palm Beach County is, roughly, between Polk and Monroe counties. How come, then, Palm Beach County is not making preparations to possibly close schools?

Must be FCAT, but it could be some other reasons combined...

Thoughts, anyone?

[tronbunny]

This here definately makes me wonder. Polk County is well inland and in the middle of central Florida. Wilma is expected to pass to the south of Polk County. While Polk County is deciding to make an early decision and close schools on Monday, how come Palm Beach County, which will likely be closer to Wilma, has not decided to close schools on Monday and instead is saying they will wait to make a decision? Even the Florida Keys (offshore and mainland Monroe County) and other counties on the southwest coast of Florida and, possibly, counties on the east coast (Miami-Dade County notably) are/likely will taking actions.

Very odd... FCAT is really plaguing the Palm Beach County School District, who is being pressured, I think, too hard on FCAT preparation and the like.

Who agrees?

Polk's in the bullseye, as of the last model runs.
Probably should be prepared for a very short period of conditions similar to Jeanne or Frances.

Osceola may not make a decision until Sunday.
I know because I get regular email from the school system.

[Josephine96]

Tron..

I also know they'll probably wait till Sunday.. Because Blaine Muse is an IDIOT! I can't stand him

Even though his signature is on my 2001 Dreamer and Doer for Osceola County Award {1st Osceola County winner from Gateway HS since 1992}

[MiamiensisWx]

Polk's in the bullseye, as of the last model runs.
Probably should be prepared for a very short period of conditions similar to Jeanne or Frances.

Osceola may not make a decision until Sunday.
I know because I get regular email from the school system.

It is true that Polk County is well within and/or near the center of the cone. Palm Beach County, however (as well as other areas), is also well within the cone. What concerns me is that Palm Beach County often waits until the last minute... they've been doing that more often after the days of teaching lost due to Frances (and a bit from Jeanne) from last year. This concerns me, and that is why I wonder whether FCAT is, in some way, crippling the Palm Beach County School District and forcing it to make more days for teaching students.

Any more opinions or thoughts?

[tronbunny]

John,

As a parent with a child in Osceola Schools since 1999, I have to disagree with you about Mr. Muse.
He's not superman, but he's also not to blame for all the problems.

I'm more inclined to blame our esteemed County Council Members for allowing insane growth, without considering impact on the school system.

I'm glad they're waiting, because we really don't need the kids out, unless there is a threat, and officially, there isn't.

Give everyone at least another 24 hours...

(BTW: Congrats... wish that Gateway could be a better school, though. I see good efforts by most administrators and teachers. It helps to have supportive parents and neighbors, too!)

[Terry]

Polk is a shelter site for those evacuating from the coast. That is why our schools are closing.

Our hotels are almost full or now full already.

[cjrciadt]

Tron..

I also know they'll probably wait till Sunday.. Because Blaine Muse is an IDIOT! I can't stand him

Even though his signature is on my 2001 Dreamer and Doer for Osceola County Award {1st Osceola County winner from Gateway HS since 1992}

You went to Gateway, I dont like you anymore. (i'm a Kowboy, OHS)

[Josephine96]

Ok.. I accept your argument about Mr. Muse.. and will be silenced peacefully

I guess we shall wait and see what the decision is..

[Josephine96]

Well hello CJ.. lol.. At least both our teams are having 1-6 seasons lol

[cjrciadt]

Polk is a shelter site for those evacuating from the coast. That is why our schools are closing.

Our hotels are almost full or now full already.

That make complete sense, so many people came from the W. coast from Charley into Central FL, back OT the Kowboys have gone downhill since my freshman year (98-99)