Flash Flooding Prompts Early School Dismissal

Flash flooding on Monday prompted local schools to dismiss early. The announcement came well after the school day started making it difficult for many parents to pick up their children. Carla Dubose has two kids at Heard Magnet School. She said, "I would have preferred they canceled school this morning before I got out in the rain. I took them to school and got to work only to leave three hours later."  

Dothan School Superintendent Tim Wilder said he knew there would be some flooding Monday, but not to the extent seen throughout the city. Wilder said keeping the students in school posed a safety concern.

"There was not a concern last night to close school, it was this morning that we got there and got a call from the EMA's office that said they we're expecting even more. There was a thought last night that we would get the bad part over and have some flooding issues around town and it would slow down a little bit and then we would be fine.  But once we got the call saying  four to six  more inches that's when we made  the decision to dismiss early," explained Wilder.

Classes were dismissed at 11:30 and buses were available for the students who typically depend on them to get home from school.  Josh Cole had to take an early lunch in order to pick his son up from school. Even though it was an inconvenience, Cole said her didn't mind. "I don't think it was a bad idea to dismiss class early. I think it would make it easier for the bus drivers so they don't have to go through the flooded roads. This is a good time to let them go," said Cole as he sat in the carpool line outside of his son's school.

In cases like Monday, Wilder said he isn't required to consult the school board before announcing an early dismissal. However, Wilder did call all the board members to alert them of his decision.