Leon County schools to dismiss early Friday as Hurricane Isaias nears; after-school canceled

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — As Hurricane Isaias prompted school districts across the region to adjust schedules, several North Florida systems announced closures and early dismissals for Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, while others said they would remain open.

Leon County Schools said it will follow an early release schedule Friday, Oct. 9, after multiple weather briefings with the Leon County Emergency Management team regarding Hurricane Isaias. High school students will be dismissed at 11:20 a.m., elementary students at 12:20 p.m. and middle school students at 1:20 p.m. All afterschool activities are canceled, including afterschool care programs such as 21st Century and Extended Day. The district said offices and school campuses will close at 3 p.m. Friday and that it will continue monitoring conditions with emergency management partners.

Jefferson County schools announced there will be no school Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, after the district said it was informed during its most recent Florida Division of Emergency Management meeting that Jefferson County had been upgraded to a “tropical storm watch.” The district also reminded families that schools will be closed Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, for Columbus Day.

Lafayette County Schools said it will remain open and operate on a normal schedule Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, while continuing to monitor weather conditions with Hurricane Isaias. The district said any changes would be shared through ParentSquare and on social media.

Taylor County schools said all schools will be closed Friday, Oct. 9, due to potential weather.

Wakulla County Schools said it will be closed Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, after continued monitoring of Tropical Storm Isaias and potential impacts to Wakulla County. The district said Superintendent Rick Myhre made the decision to close all Wakulla County schools. Wakulla County Schools also said Monday, Oct. 12, remains a scheduled teacher planning day with no school for students, and students will return Tuesday, Oct. 13.

Decatur County Schools issued an update at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 8, 2026, saying all Decatur County schools will be closed Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, citing rapid intensification and uncertainty in the final path of Hurricane Isaias. The district said faculty and staff will report back to work Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, and students will return Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. A separate Decatur County Schools statement also said the district would operate as normal Friday, Oct. 9, but that all after-school activities on Friday and throughout the weekend were canceled, and that storm impacts were expected to reach the area Friday night and continue into Saturday.