USC cancels classes, multiple Midlands school districts close as storm approaches
Most Midlands school districts are shutting down in-person classes on Friday as Hurricane Ian threatens South Carolina with severe weather, while multiple others have announced plans to alter classes and activities on Thursday and Friday.
The University of South Carolina and Midlands Technical College are the latest schools to change plans, as both announced classes are canceled on Friday.
Richland 1, Richland 2 and Lexington-Richland 5 school districts announced Wednesday afternoon that they would close schools Friday and instead shift to e-learning days.
Hurricane Ian is expected to produce heavy rain, gusty winds, flash flooding, and isolated tornadoes in the Midlands beginning Thursday and lasting through Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
Here’s a look at where specific districts stand and any plans that have been released:
Sumter
All Sumter County schools will dismiss early on Thursday, with elementary schools starting at 11 a.m., middle schools following at 11:30 a.m., and high schools dismissing at 12:30 p.m. All after-school activities are canceled.
Friday will be an e-learning day for all students, meaning schools and office buildings will be closed, and all activities, including athletic events and field trips, are canceled.
If students are unable to participate because of power outages, lack of internet service, or any other reason they will be able to complete the e-learning assignments.
Clarendon County
All Clarendon County schools will dismiss early Thursday, between 11 and 11:45 a.m., and Friday will be an e-learning day.
Richland 1
Schools will not meet in person Friday, but the district will treat it as an e-learning day for students.
On Thursday, A.C. Moore and Rosewood elementary schools, Olympia Learning Center, and Hand Middle School students will be dismissed between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Richland 2
Schools will not meet in person Friday, but the district will treat it as an e-learning day for students.
Lexington-Richland 5
Schools will not meet in person Friday, but the district will treat it as an e-learning day for students.
Lexington 1
Schools will not meet in person Friday, but the district will treat it as an e-learning day for students.
Lexington 2
Schools will not meet in person Friday, but the district will treat it as an e-learning day for students.
Officials have changed the dates for Airport and Brookland-Cayce high school football games and canceled all other afternoon and evening programs and activities.
Lexington 3
Schools will not meet in person Friday, but the district will treat it as an e-learning day for students.
Lexington 4
Schools will not meet in person Friday, but the district will treat it as an e-learning day for students.
The district has changed the dates for Swansea High School and Sandhills Middle School football games.
Orangeburg County
All schools will dismiss early on Thursday, and schools will not meet in person Friday, but the district will treat it as an e-learning day for students.
All high school sporting events will be played earlier in the week or have been canceled.
Kershaw County
Schools will not meet in person Friday, but the district will treat it as an e-learning day for students.
Lee County
Schools will not meet in person Friday, but the district will treat it as an e-learning day for students.
District officials said all Lee Central High School homecoming activities scheduled for Friday have been rescheduled to Thursday.
Aiken County
Schools will not meet in person Friday, but the district will treat it as an e-learning day for students.
Colleges and universities
▪ All classes scheduled Friday for USC’s Columbia campus are canceled, including all in-person and virtual classes. Essential campus operations like food service, housing, health services and virtual academic support services will continue throughout the closure and essential employees are required to report to campus, USC officials said.
▪ Midlands Tech will be closed on Friday.
▪ South Carolina State University will cancel Friday classes.
▪ Claflin University canceled Thursday’s classes and will classes will be held virtually on Friday.
Misc.
▪ Richland Library announces all locations will be closed Friday.
▪ Richland County facilities will be closed to the public Friday, non-essential County personnel will work remotely, but the county’s website, richlandcountysc.gov, will still be online. Additionally, open burning in unincorporated Richland County is temporarily prohibited because of increased fire danger.
▪ The City of West Columbia announced multiple closings and cancellations, saying the Riverwalk Park & Amphitheater, Fowler Park, Butler Park and all other city parks will close, and Saturday’s scheduled Meeting Street Artisan Market has been canceled. Additionally, yard trash won’t be picked up Friday.
▪ The South Carolina Education Lottery’s Claims Center will be closed on Friday.
This is a developing story, check back to see if there are any additional changes, or if any other area school districts adjust their schedules.
