Aiken County Public Schools to Re-Open Monday, October 10, Following Hurricane Matthew’s Mandatory Closings
Aiken County School officials learned late Saturday that the decision to open back up schools Monday, October 10, 2016, following a three-day governor-mandated shutdown due to Hurricane Matthew’s evacuation of South Carolina’s coast, was a local decision, one which would be made among school district and local officials.
And that’s just what’s underway in Aiken County. In collaboration with local officials, district administrators are working to reopen its schools Monday.
The City stepped right in and offered to relocate and house the 250-plus evacuees from South Aiken to the O’Dell Weeks Center, a nearby recreation center in Aiken County, where evacuees will spend the remainder of their time in Aiken County until their safe re-entry home.
Donations, supplies and evacuees are planned to be moved beginning as early as 8:00 a.m. this morning to allow for a thorough cleaning by District custodial crews of South Aiken.
“We appreciate everyone’s patience as we examined roadways and facilities for safety and made plans to relocate evacuees,” Superintendent Dr. Sean Alford commented. “We are extremely grateful to our accommodating city officials who worked with us to relocate evacuees so that we could open school back up on Monday.”
All District schools, including South Aiken High School, will reopen on Monday, October 10.
“Our school community has showed a real spirit of hospitality throughout the storm and aftermath,” Dr. Alford said of the many school groups, local churches and employees that have volunteered through Red Cross to support the evacuation efforts and shelters.
“This truly is ONE TEAM!”
ACPSD Communications Department