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CMS leaders meeting ahead of return to in-person learning at elementary schools

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A lot of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' parents and teachers will be closely watching as the Board of Education meets Wednesday night to discuss the return to in-person learning.

It is a virtual meeting so parents and teachers will be able to watch online.

Currently, Mecklenburg County is in the “Red Zone” for community spread. That is one of the many metrics the school board will review during their meeting Wednesday.

The most recent numbers the district posted showed between 10% and 40% of schools don’t have enough full-time nurses, 19 schools have at least one positive case and between 5% and 15% of classrooms still don’t meet safety standards like spaced out desks and shields in the front office.

There are about 2,700 Pre-K students and students with disabilities in CMS classrooms.

The most recent numbers show CMS reported eight students and 16 employees tested positive.

Students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade are scheduled to return to classrooms on Monday.

Another item on the Board of Education agenda is tackling another school name change. This comes after the board recently voted to rename Vance High School. Next fall, it will be known as Julius L. Chambers High.

On Wednesday, the board will be looking into Barringer Academic Center’s namesake -- Osmond Barringer. According to the school district, he donated land to the school while developing the Revolution Park neighborhood.

CMS wants to make sure schools aren’t named for people with values it does not support.

Right now, they will be learning more about the history behind the name. A decision on renaming could come later.