PUSD said in an email to high school families on Friday that after discussions with the school administration, the Piedmont Police Department, and city emergency services, PHS decided to cancel Saturday night’s Homecoming Dance and will reschedule at a later date due to the possibility of a PG&E power shutoff.
“This was a difficult decision to make. Student and staff safety weighed heavily on our minds and we aren’t willing to risk the dangers to students and staff due to a possible power outage in the middle of a dance with nearly 400 students. Additionally, we are concerned about the surrounding neighborhood, with the possibility of inoperable traffic and street lights as families arrive to pick up their student or with students walking home,” said Superintendent Randy Booker in the message to high school families.
Earlier Friday, PUSD informed parents throughout the community that if a Public-Safety Power Shutoff affects Piedmont schools, it will “issue a notification indicating a district-wide school closure due to lack of electricity. This school-closure will impact all students and staff and any before or after-school activities on PUSD campuses.”
“I have been in communication with the City of Piedmont and we are coordinating resources and communications. In the event that we are notified of a Public-Safety Power Shutoff, we will issue communications to all families, staff, and secondary students across the district,” Booker said in the email sent to all families.