Pickens County Journalism Since 1999
Ice storm updates from the School District of Pickens County
Updates are in chronological order, beginning with the first updates
School District of Pickens County announces eLearning day for Monday, January 26
Monday, January 26, 2026, will be an eLearning Day for the School District of Pickens County (SDPC) due to the potential for winter weather and concerns about hazardous travel conditions. Students will not attend school in person.
In an effort to provide families with as much notice as possible, this decision is being made in advance. This decision was made after consulting with state and county agencies and closely reviewing weather forecasts this weekend.
eLearning Days allow students to make up days missed due to inclement weather or other emergencies by completing a set of assignments within 5 (five) school days. For more detailed information regarding eLearning Days, please visit our eLearning Day website.
You can review our inclement weather procedures here: bit.ly/SDPCWeather.
Thank you for your understanding and flexibility as we prioritize the safety of our SDPC family.
SDPC Communications
January 23, 2026
School District announces eLearning day for Tuesday, January 27 and postponing of School Board meeting
The School District of Pickens County (SDPC) will extend eLearning through Tuesday, January 27, 2026, due to continued hazardous travel conditions resulting from prolonged cold temperatures.
This decision was made after consultation with state and county agencies and a review of updated forecasts indicating concerns for safe travel.
In addition, the Board Meeting scheduled for Monday, January 26, is postponed.
School District of Pickens County announces eLearning is extended to Wednesday, January 28 due to hazardous travel conditions
After carefully assessing road conditions and school facilities across Pickens County, the School District of Pickens County will operate on eLearning on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Students will not attend school in person on Wednesday, January 28.
Overnight refreezing, icy conditions, especially in shaded areas, and continued power outages in parts of the county continue to make travel unsafe in some locations. While conditions have improved in portions of the county, road conditions remain inconsistent, with noticeable ice and black ice in shaded areas. Temperatures are expected to drop again tonight and are not predicted to rise above freezing until after 10:00 a.m. Wednesday.
Because conditions vary widely across the county, eLearning allows us to prioritize safety while maintaining instructional continuity.
While closing schools requires time to be made up, eLearning days allow instructional time to continue without using built-in make-up days or extending the school year. eLearning assignments will be due within five school days of returning to school. Please know that flexibility will be granted for assignments and deadlines for those impacted by power outages. For more detailed information regarding eLearning Days, please visit our eLearning Day website.
You can review our inclement weather procedures here: bit.ly/SDPCWeather.
Thank you for your continued flexibility and support as we prioritize safety.
SDPC Communications
January 27, 2026
School District will operate on a two-hour delay Thursday, January 29
After carefully assessing road conditions and school facilities across Pickens County, the School District of Pickens County will operate on a two-hour delay on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
While conditions have improved in some locations, road conditions remain inconsistent across the county, particularly in shaded areas where ice persists.
Important Information
Bus transportation and morning drop-off times will be exactly two hours later than normal schedules.
Buses will not travel on icy roads. See the link below for a list of roads.
High school students, including Career Center students, should check their Schoology messages for adjusted class times and bell schedules.
A Grab & Go Breakfast will be available for students
Our transportation staff has also assessed bus routes and identified roads that buses will not travel on due to patches of ice.
CLICK HERE for a LIST of ROADS on SDPC Bus Routes that our buses will not travel on Thursday, 1/29/26 due to ice – https://bit.ly/3BGexMF
Please note: This list may not include every impassable road, as conditions can vary across the district. Families living on roads not listed should still exercise caution and use their best judgment when determining whether it is safe to travel to the bus stop or school.
All schools and offices will operate on the modified schedule below:
Elementary will begin at 10:00 AM
Liberty Primary will begin at 9:50 AM
Middle School will begin at 10:30 AM
High School will begin at 10:40 AM
We encourage parents and staff to use caution as they travel, particularly on secondary roads and areas that have remained in the shade. Our priority is the safety of students and staff, and we appreciate your patience and understanding.
You can review our inclement weather procedures here: bit.ly/SDPCWeather
School District of Pickens County
January 28, 2026
School District to operate on a two-hour delay on Friday, January 30
Due to continued ice on shaded areas and secondary roads, the School District of Pickens County (SDPC) will operate on a two-hour delay on Friday, January 30, 2026.
Bus transportation and morning drop-off times will be exactly two hours later than normal schedules.
No buses will travel on icy roads. See the link below for a list of roads.
High school students (including Career Center) should check their Schoology messages for adjusted class times and bell schedules.
A list of SDPC bus routes that buses will not travel on due to icy conditions is available here: https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/article/2667235
School District of Pickens County
January 29, 2026