COUNTY — Schools in Pickens County will dismiss early Thursday because of anticipated traffic issues from Clemson’s home football game against Georgia Tech.

Elementary schools will dismiss at 1 p.m., while middle and high schools will dismiss at 2 p.m. Schools may continue after-school activities such as athletic practices at the principal’s discretion, but employees will still be required to work a full day.

“We anticipate that traffic in the Clemson area and around U.S. 123 in Easley would make it impossible for buses to take students home in a reasonable amount of time unless school is dismissed early,” School District of Pickens County spokesman John Eby said. “We also have concerns about the safety of student drivers in the heavy traffic.”

Eby said the decision was made after the district consulted with Clemson University, South Carolina Highway Patrol and local law enforcement authorities and determined that traffic for the game will increase sharply in the early afternoon.

The game will be Clemson’s first home Thursday night game in a decade and will kick off at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.