Irene may delay start of school year

In Cranston, school officials expect to decide by 3 p.m. whether to delay the first day of classes. The district has instructed principals to move chairs and other items away from windows, and district officials say they are concerned about damage to buildings, power outages and flooding.

Heavy rains are also a concern in Bristol-Warren, where some schools are located in a flood zone. Other school buildings may become evacuation sites if local residents are told to leave their homes.

Providence city officials say they want to make sure teachers have time for orientation, currently scheduled for Monday. If the storm delays those meetings, the district is likely to postpone the first day of classes.

In Newport, Hurricane Irene will probably not affect the start of the school year, which is scheduled for September 6th. District officials say they will provide shelters and alternative sites for city services in case of flooding or other damage.