Schools Across U.S. Districts Delay Start Times Amid Weather and Training on Sept. 17

Lead Multiple school districts from Virginia’s Eastern Shore to northeastern Ohio delayed their start times Wednesday morning, citing severe weather conditions and staff professional development as primary reasons.

Nut Graf Parents and students faced staggered schedules today as Northampton County Public Schools implemented a two-hour delay due to coastal flooding and high winds, while Hillsdale Local Schools in Ohio postponed classes for teacher training, illustrating how districts balance safety and instructional needs.

2-Hour Delay in Northampton County, Virginia

• Northampton County Public Schools opened two hours late today, suspending breakfast service and requiring staff to report two hours after their usual start time.
• The delay responds to a Coastal Flooding and Wind Advisory, with road conditions deemed unsafe for standard bus operations and drop-offs.
• Afternoon activities and the regular dismissal schedule remain unchanged.

Professional Development Delay in Hillsdale, Ohio

• Hillsdale Local Schools delayed the start of classes by two hours for district-wide teacher professional development, shifting the opening bell to 10:00 AM.
• Morning bus routes ran at regular pickup times; students arriving by bus were supervised until classes began.
• Preschool programs continued on their regular schedule, and no additional bus routes were added for the delayed window.

Other Regional Adjustments

• Several Eastern Shore Head Start programs in Accomack County also followed the two-hour delay, aligning with public school adjustments.
• District communications urged families to monitor emails and school websites for further updates, emphasizing student safety and instructional continuity.