The Roane County School System has reversed course and now will be closed August 21 for the total solar eclipse. Students will be given viewing glasses, courtesy of the Roane County Highway Department, this Friday (August 18, 2017) for use at home during the event. Students are encouraged to bring five empty aluminum cans to school Friday to donate to the recycling project between the school system and highway department. Roane County now joins Anderson, Bledsoe, Blount, Bradley, Loudon, McMinn, Overton and Rhea County that will be closed August 21 for the eclipse. Cumberland, Fentress, Morgan and White County schools will be in session that day and Meigs County will extend their hours as the eclipse will be coming to an end at the time school dismisses.