Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools closed Thursday

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The conditions of the roads were the main reason Charlotte Mecklenburg School officials decided to close school Thursday.

District leaders said while major roads were clear, neighborhoods remained unsafe for school buses.

The make-up day is Monday, Feb. 17

Charlotte-Mecklenburg School leaders met around 4 p.m. Wednesday to decide if they'll cancel school Thursday.

The condition of sidewalks and city streets were just some of the reasons they canceled school.

CMS transportation crews have been checking out streets from Davidson, to Lake Wylie looking for icy spots.

Parents said Tuesday they were only given an hour and a half notice about an early dismissal and they found out school was canceled at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

"The one, two, three times we get the snow here, take a chance and risk being in a bind. I think it will be better for everything if it were to be cancelled in advance," parent Constantinos Peroulas said.

Teachers voice concern over being asked to work Wednesday

CMS gave students a snow day, but some teachers told Eyewitness News they got an ultimatum.
 
Teachers received an email Tuesday night. The district gave them three options: Come to work two hours late, take a vacation day or a day without pay.
 
In a news conference, the deputy superintendent said it is something that happens everywhere. They asked employees to make their decision based on safety. By allowing a two-hour delay, employees wouldn't have to drive to work in the dark.
 
A teacher who did not want to be identified said she didn't feel safe driving, but she didn't want to lose pay or a vacation day.
 
"Why is it OK for the teachers to risk driving on the road if they're too bad for buses and too bad for children to be outside?" she said.
 
"That is a tough call but that is not unique to public education employees that happens to employees in every industry," said deputy superintendent Ann Clark.

CMS will make up the Wednesday snow day on Feb. 18.

WSOC