CMS leaders vote to make November 1 teacher workday

CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education voted Tuesday to make Nov. 1 a teacher workday.

Superintendent Earnest Winston also said that he would add three half-days to the 2021-2022 school calendar, making Nov. 17, Feb. 9 and March 30 half-days for students.

CMS Board votes to bump hourly pay for school bus drivers to $17.75

“The intention is to give back some planning time to many teachers who are stretched thin with high absenteeism among colleagues and a substitute shortage,” CMS said in a news release. “The changes will also allow additional time for new state-mandated professional development.”

“Our teachers and school staff have stepped up to keep students engaged and learning even when their teachers are sick and there are no substitutes,” said Elyse Dashew, Board chair. “We are so grateful for their flexibility and strength in challenging circumstances, and we hope this will give them some breathing room.”

After School Enrichment Programs will be open to serve families on Nov. 1. Teacher assistants and other nine-month staff, such as bus drivers and child nutrition workers, will work that day unless they take annual leave.

Nov. 2 was already a scheduled teacher workday giving students a four-day Halloween weekend.

Relief coming? CMS Board expected to vote in 2 weeks on boundaries for 2 new schools

In two weeks, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools leaders will discuss plans to draw boundaries for two new schools.

The Board of Education heard from the public on Tuesday but will not take a vote until Nov. 9.

ALSO READ: Some CMS teachers being reassigned to virtual or overcrowded schools

It’s an issue Channel 9 education reporter Elsa Gillis has covered extensively. The changes are coming because so many areas across the county have grown in recent years and the district said schools are overcrowded.

On Nov. 9, parents will learn what the boundaries will be for two new relief schools -- and what neighborhoods will be impacted.

Both schools are set to open next fall.

>> Read more about the proposals for the boundaries here.

The first one up for a vote will be the new relief school for Olympic High School. The potential boundary scenarios split up students between Olympic High School, the new relief school, and South Mecklenburg High School.

It could also change current attendance lines for Harding High School.

CMS elementary school relief scenarios (CMS)

Scenarios for the other relief school, dubbed the Southeast elementary relief school, could impact some students assigned to Bain, Lebanon Road, Piney Grove, Crown Point, and Matthews elementary schools.

“We can’t wait until the brand-new school buildings are open next fall and filled with students,” said Dashew. “We thank the voters for approving the funds for these greatly needed schools in the 2017 bond.”

(WATCH BELOW: CMS sees increase in students facing housing insecurity)