On After the Bell, we talk with Savannah-Chatham County Public School System COO Meagan Davidson and Emergency Management and School Safety Lt. Justin Pratt about severe weather preparedness and school closure decisions.

They explain the biggest misconception is that closures are based only on current conditions, when decisions also depend on student and staff safety, transportation over bridges, walkers and drivers, staffing across multiple counties and states, and changing conditions at arrival and dismissal. Preparedness is year-round and coordinated with SEMA, municipal partners, elected officials, and the National Weather Service through frequent briefings.

Closure recommendations consider power, access, food service, technology, and security, with families notified via the website, social media, BrightArrow texts/calls, and news outlets. They cover bus-route impacts, in-school alerts and drills, automated intercom weather warnings, post-storm facility assessments, and countywide damage tracking. They urge families to maintain emergency kits/plans and keep contact info updated.

QUICK LINKS:

Contact Us - Main Page

District Calendar

Lunch Menus

Literacy is Our North Star

Engagement and Outreach

Map of Schools

Athletics Department

Career Opportunities

Meet the Production Team behind "After the Bell"

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Welcome And Guests

00:28 Meet Meagan Davidson

01:21 Meet Lieutenant Pratt

02:30 Closure Misconceptions

04:49 Year Round Preparedness

07:35 Decision Making Process

09:11 How Closures Are Announced

12:45 Family Communication Channels

14:24 Internal Coordination

16:20 Bus Routes In Bad Weather

17:36 Severe Weather During School

19:57 Post Storm Reopening Checks

22:36 Damage Assessment Technology

23:46 Final Tips For Families

25:22 Closing Thanks