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CMS Teachers Given 'Optional' Workday As Protest Is Expected

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Clayton Wilcox on Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins.
Jennifer Worsham
/
WFAE
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Clayton Wilcox on Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools teachers will have an “optional” workday May 16 as the district prepares for the possibility of a statewide protest in Raleigh.

At least 2,000 CMS teachers have requested the day off, according to CMS Superintendent Clayton Wilcox.

In a statement, Wilcox said the decision to allow for an optional workday was made in conjunction with the school board and with the student safety in mind. 

“Teachers and educators in this district are taking their own personal-leave days to join their colleagues,” Wilcox said. “As of late this afternoon, the current count of teacher and staff absences is approximately 2,000, the majority of which do not have [substitutes]. It is important to note that this does not include normal sick days. We expect the number to increase as the day of the rally gets closer, and we don’t have substitute-teacher capacity to cover all of the requests. I can’t guarantee we’ll be able to open all schools on May 16 with the staff needed to maintain student safety – so we’ve decided to make it an optional teacher workday.”

Wilcox also said he also supports the teachers who will be rallying in Raleigh. 

“To our teachers, I say this: I share your concerns,” Wilcox said. “I hear your voices calling for change and I know that you lift your voices not only for your own benefit but because you care about students, their futures and our community.”

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