Clarksville-Montgomery Schools Remain Closed Wednesday Due to Icy Conditions

Crews continue clearing 87 acres and 22 miles of sidewalks covered in 2-3 inch thick ice across nearly 50 campuses.

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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Clarksville-Montgomery County schools will remain closed through Wednesday due to the lingering effects of a recent winter storm, which left extensive ice covering the district's campuses. While all school-based and district-level employees will report to work on a 2-hour delay, classes are expected to resume on Thursday, February 5th, with a potential 2-hour delay to account for morning commute conditions and the possibility of overnight refreezing.

Why it matters

The prolonged school closures due to the severe winter weather highlight the challenges faced by school districts in maintaining safe and accessible campuses during extreme weather events. The decision to keep schools closed reflects the district's commitment to ensuring the safety of students and staff, even as it disrupts the normal academic schedule.

The details

Crews from the Montgomery County Highway Department, Montgomery County Facilities Department, and Clarksville Street Department have been working to break up the thick ice that covered 87 acres and 22 miles of sidewalks across the district's nearly 50 campuses, the equivalent of clearing around 66 football fields of 2- to 3-inch-thick ice plus a full marathon route. Despite their efforts, the ice has not melted quickly enough to allow for a full reopening on Wednesday.

  • The winter storm hit the Clarksville-Montgomery County area last week.
  • Schools have been closed since the start of the week.
  • Classes are expected to resume on Thursday, February 5th, with a potential 2-hour delay.

The players

CMCSS

Clarksville-Montgomery County School System, the public school district serving Clarksville and Montgomery County, Tennessee.

Montgomery County Highway Department

The department responsible for maintaining the roads and infrastructure in Montgomery County, Tennessee.

Montgomery County Facilities Department

The department responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the county's facilities, including the Clarksville-Montgomery County school campuses.

Clarksville Street Department

The department responsible for maintaining the streets and sidewalks within the city of Clarksville, Tennessee.

Tennessee Commissioner of Education

The state-level official responsible for overseeing the education system in Tennessee.

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What they’re saying

“With the support of the Montgomery County Highway Department, Montgomery County Facilities Department, and Clarksville Street Department, significant progress is being made on our campuses today. While we hoped for more rain and warmer temperatures to help, it wasn't enough to finish the task.”

— Anthony Johnson, CMCSS spokesman (Clarksville Now)

“Based on today's progress and barring any additional inclement weather, we plan to resume classes on Thursday, Feb. 5. We will likely implement a two-hour delay to provide more visibility during the morning commute and account for the possibility of overnight refreezing.”

— Anthony Johnson, CMCSS spokesman (Clarksville Now)

“The Tennessee Commissioner of Education has approved the CMCSS waiver request for our exhausted stockpile days. This means that we do not currently have to implement our weather make-up plan.”

— Anthony Johnson, CMCSS spokesman (Clarksville Now)

What’s next

The district will continue to monitor weather conditions and make any necessary adjustments to the school schedule as needed.

The takeaway

The prolonged school closures in Clarksville-Montgomery County highlight the significant challenges that school districts can face in maintaining safe and accessible campuses during severe winter weather events. The district's decision to prioritize the safety of students and staff, even at the cost of disrupting the academic calendar, demonstrates its commitment to the well-being of the local community.