CMS: No makeup for students, no time docked for teachers because of Florence closing

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students and teachers won’t be docked for the three days schools were closed as Florence neared the region last week and soaked it at the start of this one.

Superintendent Clayton Wilcox announced Wednesday that he won’t require students to make up the days. Teachers and other salaried employees who would have had to use leave time will be credited for those days, CMS said.

Hourly workers, such as bus drivers, cafeteria workers and maintenance staff, will have a chance to make up earnings on future teacher work days.

CMS closed school earlier than most districts in the region. As Red Cross workers set up shelters in five high schools last Wednesday, the district announced it would close Thursday and Friday — days when it turned out wind and rain did not reach the area. The storm hit over the weekend, and schools remained closed Monday because of flooding and downed trees.

Students returned Tuesday — except at Carmel Middle, where the power remained out — but were off again Wednesday because of a teacher work day that coincides with Yom Kippur.

With flash flooding receding, complaints from teachers rose about having to give up so many leave days. The storm closings affected about 19,000 employees, 148,000 K-12 students and 3,000 public prekindergarten students.

Ann Doss Helms: 704-358-5033, @anndosshelms