CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education voted to revise its school reopening plan and approved a full-remote learning plan, known as Plan C, during an emergency meeting on Thursday.
“With new information becoming available to us since we initially voted to open schools with two weeks of staggered in-classroom onboarding, we feel this decision better reflects the current environment and offers us the best opportunity to educate our students while protecting student and staff health,” said Elyse Dashew, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education chairperson.
The CMS board cited staffing challenges, with CMS Superintendent Earnest Winston showing data indicating significant needs remaining in transportation, custodial staff, and school nurses.
Under Plan C, teachers and school-based staff are strongly encouraged to report to facilities to provide remote instruction from Aug. 17-28 – the last day of the second full week of remote instruction. Beginning Aug. 31, teachers and school-based staff are encouraged to continue working from school buildings but may work remotely.
A petition started by the North Carolina Association of Educators affiliate in Mecklenburg County urged the CMS board to enact Plan C, with a list of demands similar to other efforts launched by NCAE members. The second-largest public school system in the state joins dozens more who have moved to fully remote learning after initially approving the blended in-person and remote Plan B.
“Earlier today I shared a message with our principals and staff encouraging them to remain focused on our students. That is our highest priority whether we are together in the classroom, or connected virtually,” Winston said.