Guidelines for Determining School Closings in Cannon County

Director of Cannon County Schools, William Freddy Curtis gives vital information to Parents, Grandparents, and Community Members regarding School Closings, Delays, and Helpful Information regarding Cannon County Schools.


The determination of School Closings or Delays is based on a number of factors.  

1. Actual Road Conditions – What is happening NOW. When there is a threat of winter weather and for some reason it always seems like it moves in about 5 AM – 7 AM every time, Cannon County Schools Transportation Director, Mrs. Lisa Black, first is in contact with Cannon County E-911 Central Dispatch.  They know the conditions based on Sheriff Deputies, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the Cannon County Road Department.  We also contact Bus Drivers and Spotters in all parts of the county for information.  Mr. Curtis can also check road conditions personally, but he relies on the professionals who know a lot more about that than him! Then the call is made to close or delay.  A Cannon County Schools Bright Arrow message to all who have signed up is sent out to recipients, local Cannon County Media are informed, and then the Nashville TV Stations.

2.  Forecast for the Day. – Cannon County School Personnel look at the National Weather Service Forecast for the day to determine if anything is going to move in and what temperatures are forecast to do during the school day.  The NWS – Nashville Office website is https://www.weather.gov/ohx/.  Mr. Curtis has had numerous NWS Storm Spotter Training classes including Advanced Spotter Training and Cannon County Schools Bus Drivers are NWS Storm Spotter trained.  This will help us during severe weather events, particularly in the Spring, but severe weather can occur anytime of the year.  Cannon County School personnel constantly check the forecast for any weather that could change during school hours and each school is equipped with a weather radio that receives severe weather alerts.

3.  Surrounding Counties.  One of the factors is what other counties surrounding Cannon County are experiencing.  Mr. Curtis is in touch with fellow Directors of Schools in surrounding counties regarding their conditions that could possibly spread into Cannon County.

A Reminder regarding Closings and Delays.

Cannon County Schools Closed – Means all school activities are canceled. A Cannon County Schools Bright Arrow message to all who have signed up is sent out to recipients, local Cannon County Media are informed, and then the Nashville TV Stations.

Middle School and High School Sports game cancellations are determined on a case-by-case basis depending on main road conditions. The cancellation of sporting events is made by the Director of Cannon County Schools in consultation with the CCHS Principal and Athletic Director.

2 Hours Late – This occurs if Cannon County Schools Personnel need more time to make a determination to close or that conditions will improve to have School. It means exactly what it says – 2 Hours Late.  If School doors open regularly at 7 AM, then they will open at 9 AM.  If a bus normally picks up a student at 6:45 AM, the bus will pick up the student at 8:45 AM.  If the School bell normally rings at 7:30 AM, it will ring at 9:30 AM.  If a teacher has bus duty and normally reports at 6:55 AM, then they would report at 8:55 AM.  Get the picture!  You simply move everything up 2 hours!  Cannon County Schools could possibly close if weather conditions worsen, so just because Cannon County Schools are 2 Hours Late, things could change in that time period. A Cannon County Schools Bright Arrow message to all who have signed up is sent out to recipients, local Cannon County Media are informed, and then the Nashville TV Stations.

1 Hour Delay – This is seldom used in our school system.  If Cannon County Schools are going to be delayed, it will most always will be for 2 Hours Late.

Other Weather Related Delays:  Sometimes particularly in the Spring during severe weather events such as Tornado & Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, Cannon County Schools could possibly be delayed leaving school or leave early to beat the severe weather.  This is handled on a case-by-case basis and a Cannon County Schools Bright Arrow message to all who have signed up is sent out to recipients, local Cannon County Media are informed, and then the Nashville TV Stations

How to sign up for Cannon County Schools Bright Arrow Alerts:

Here are the steps:

1. Go to http://www.ccstn.net/

2. Click on RESOURCES

3. Click on Bright Arrow Self-Signup

4. Click on Register New User

5.  Fill in your information – Email Address and Enter a password

6.  Fill in your First Name, Last Name, Login Password, Login Password verification, Cell Phone Company, Email, and Hit Apply, OK., or Test.  You will then get a Complete Page will come up depending on what you selected. 

7.  Now you will get the first alerts that the Director of Schools will send out regarding school closures for weather and other important Cannon County Schools information!!

8.  To Unsubscribe, Simply, log back in using your password and Unsubscribe!

If a person has already signed up previously to Cannon County Schools Bright Arrow Alerts, and they have NOT been receiving Cannon County Schools Bright Arrow Alerts they may have been “opted out.”  To reinstate Cannon County Schools Bright Arrow Alerts simply, “Text the word ‘Yes’ to 87569.”  This will “opt” the person back “in” to the Cannon County Schools Bright Arrow Alerts.  If the person continues NOT to receive the Cannon County Schools Bright Arrow Alerts go back to Step 1 and create a new account.

The Cannon County School District hopes this helps parents, grandparents, and community members understand regarding these decisions and determinations that are made regarding weather events.  Cannon County Director of Schools, William Freddy Curtis commented, “Our number one priority is to keep our students and staff safe, and I pledge to always err on the side of caution. Our VISION and MISSION is our constant focus: VISION – ‘To Actively Engage in Excellence EVERY Day in EVERY Way!’ through OUR MISSION – ‘To Create a Unified Environment That Will Provide Opportunities for All Students to Succeed and Reach Their Full Potential!’”