Marion County Public Schools announces school closure due to storm

Based on multiple weather forecasts calling for tropical storm-force winds, Marion County Public Schools is cancelling school Thursday and all extra-curricular activities starting Wednesday afternoon with the exception of Marion Afterschool Programs.

The decision comes as subtropical storm Nicole makes her way to Florida’s east coast.

The district plans to reopen all schools, departments, and district offices Friday on normal schedules pending weather and safety inspections Thursday afternoon and evening.

MCPS transports over 22,000 students each day on school buses but does not operate those buses when sustained winds exceed 35 mph as they are expected Thursday.

The district does not anticipate schools being used as shelters. Any sheltering information for Marion County is available by calling the Citizens Information Hotline at 352.369.7500.

Thanks to instructional time already in school schedules, students will not have to make up the missed day.

Year-round MCPS employees will telework Thursday while other employees will make up the day at a later date in their contract year.

This decision also cancels MCPS’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony originally scheduled for this Friday at 11 a.m. The event will not be rescheduled.