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CMS students head back to class as other districts delay due to cold

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Students at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools headed back to school Wednesday as frigid temperatures continue to grip the area.

CMS officials said heaters in the buildings were checked Tuesday because of the freezing temperatures, and extra maintenance staff members were brought in to make sure everything stayed on schedule.

[FULL LIST: School and business delays]

North Mecklenburg High School, however, is closed Wednesday for students and staff due to lack of heat in several buildings and the cafeteria.

Repairs are underway and a makeup day will be announced.

Parents said school cancellations can be hard, but they believe the district made the right decision.

"It's a burden because you have to compensate for that lost time, especially for parents who work," parent Myrica Jenkins said. "It's cold. There are kids that are 4 and 5 getting out there early in the morning."

Classes were delayed in multiple areas Wednesday morning -- including Ashe, Avery, Lancaster and Watauga counties -- because of concerns that buses would have trouble running in the freezing temperatures.

Union County school officials said they planned to dismiss students two hours earlier than normal after a winter weather advisory was issued for the area by the National Weather Service.

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