PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Many WPTV viewers called our newsroom on Thursday morning, asking if local schools are still in session, even as tropical storm-force wind gusts hit the area.
WPTV checked the social media pages of school districts in Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties, and there are no reports of school or activity cancellations.
In a callout to parents and guardians at approximately 7 a.m., the School District of Palm Beach County confirmed that schools are in session.
"We ask for your patience as some delays in district transportation may be expected due to the weather conditions," the callout said. "Additionally, you may experience long wait times at parent drop-off."
However, Broward County Public Schools announced all of its schools and district offices are closed Thursday,but will reopen Friday.
The district tweeted Wednesday night that all school activities, events, field trips, sporting events, scheduled meetings, other planned events and evening classes are canceled Thursday.
In a news conference, Superintendent Dr. Peter Licata said Broward County schools are "expected to be open fully" on Friday.
— Broward Schools (@browardschools) November 16, 2023
IMAGES: Impacts of powerful wind gusts in South Florida
All Miami-Dade County public schools are open Thursday, the district said.
Joseph Sanches, the chief operating officer for the School District of Palm Beach County, told WPTV in September of last year that district leaders make calculated decisions about when it's time to close schools.
"We look at the wind levels," Sanches said. "If we have sustained winds above 35 miles per hour, we will decide to pull our buses off the road, and that would require us to close schools."
