Charlotte, NC, February 5, 2026
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) has announced the conversion of two early release days into full instructional days for students. This decision, made in response to the significant loss of instructional time caused by recent winter storms, affects February 11 and April 29, allowing for a more consistent learning environment. The Board unanimously approved this adjustment during an emergency meeting, prioritizing the recovery of lost educational time. The district is also evaluating future calendar structures to potentially eliminate early release days to enhance student learning experiences.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Convert Early Release Days to Full Instruction Following Winter Storms
Charlotte, NC – The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) Board of Education has decided to transform two previously scheduled early release days into full instructional days for students. This move, approved in an emergency meeting on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, aims to recover significant learning time lost due to recent severe winter weather across the district. The two dates now designated as full school days are February 11 and April 29.
The decision comes after a challenging period where winter storms caused extensive disruptions to the academic calendar, impacting school operations for eight consecutive days. These disruptions included three full school cancellations, three days of remote learning, and two days with delayed openings. Students are set to resume regular in-person instruction on Thursday, February 5, 2026.
Addressing Lost Instructional Time
Superintendent Crystal Hill recommended the calendar adjustments, emphasizing the district’s commitment to maximizing in-person learning opportunities for students. Although the 2025-26 academic calendar already provided enough instructional hours to meet the state-mandated minimum of 1,025 hours, the administration sought to proactively address potential learning loss and ensure educational continuity. North Carolina state law requires public school districts to provide a minimum of 1,025 instructional hours annually. The Board unanimously voted 9-0 to approve the superintendent’s recommendation.
Beth Thompson, CMS Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer, highlighted the importance of these changes for maintaining a consistent learning environment. She noted that without extending the February 11 early release day, students would have experienced a fragmented schedule, with only four full instructional days before a half day, followed closely by a pre-planned teacher workday. This fragmented schedule was deemed detrimental to instructional continuity. District officials also considered changing the February 16 teacher workday, but opted against it due to its proximity to Presidents’ Day, which would have caused greater disruption.
Impact of Winter Weather
The recent inclement weather involved two back-to-back winter storms that brought ice and significant snowfall to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area. The first storm led to a canceled day on January 26, 2026, followed by two remote learning days and two delayed openings. A subsequent snowstorm resulted in further cancellations on Monday, February 2, and Tuesday, February 3, with Wednesday, February 4, designated as a remote learning day. The extended period of disruption meant that students had not experienced a full day of in-person instruction since January 22.
Future Calendar Considerations
Beyond these immediate adjustments, CMS has been actively evaluating the structure of future academic calendars. Discussions are underway regarding the 2027-28 school year, with potential changes that could eliminate early release days entirely, replacing them with full teacher workdays. This consideration stems from feedback from parents and staff who expressed concerns about childcare challenges and increased student absenteeism on early release days. Staff members also indicated a preference for full workdays for professional development.
The district assures families that transportation schedules, along with before- and after-school enrichment programs (BSEP and ASEP), will be adjusted accordingly to accommodate the change to full instructional days on February 11 and April 29. CMS continues to monitor weather conditions and communicates any schedule changes through its website, social media, and ParentSquare alerts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary change announced by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS)?
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) has converted two upcoming early release days into full instructional days for students.
Which specific dates are affected by this change?
The early release days that will now be full instructional days are February 11, 2026, and April 29, 2026.
Why did CMS decide to make these calendar adjustments?
The decision was made to make up for instructional time lost due to recent severe winter storms that caused cancellations, remote learning days, and delayed openings over eight consecutive days.
Was CMS legally required to make up the lost instructional time?
No, the 2025-26 academic calendar already meets North Carolina’s state-required minimum of 1,025 instructional hours. The decision was made to prioritize continuous in-person learning for students.
When did the CMS Board of Education approve this change?
The CMS Board of Education unanimously approved the plan on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, during an emergency meeting.
How many days of school were impacted by the recent winter storms?
Recent winter weather impacted CMS operations for eight consecutive days, resulting in three canceled days, three remote learning days, and two delayed openings.
What are the long-term discussions regarding early release days in CMS?
CMS is also considering eliminating early release days in future academic calendars, possibly for the 2027-28 school year, replacing them with full teacher workdays based on feedback from parents and staff.
Key Features of CMS Calendar Adjustment
| Feature | Details | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Decision Date | Wednesday, February 4, 2026 | Local |
| Affected Days | February 11, 2026, and April 29, 2026 | Local |
| Previous Status | Scheduled early release days | Local |
| New Status | Full instructional days | Local |
| Reason for Change | Recovery of instructional time lost due to severe winter storms | Local |
| Winter Storm Impact | Eight consecutive days of disruption; 3 canceled, 3 remote, 2 delayed school days | Local |
| State Instructional Requirement | Minimum of 1,025 instructional hours annually | State-level |
| District Compliance | CMS calendar already met the state-required minimum hours | Local |
| Future Calendar Discussions | Considering eliminating early release days for the 2027-28 school year | Local |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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