CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - Three Charlotte Mecklenburg schools could close during the Democratic National Convention (DNC). School officials are talking to DNC leaders about their options.
The schools in question are Metro School, Irwin Academic Center, and First Ward Elementary. Tuesday night the school board gave superintendent Dr. Heath Morrison full authority to close schools if need be during the week of the DNC.
Those schools are in close proximity to the convention site. The concern is traffic around those schools.
"What roads might be closed," CMS Superintendent Heath Morrison said. "What might be happening that would impact getting students in and out of the schools. That's the biggest issue."
Morrison has already been in contact with the school district in Tampa, FL. That's where the Republican National Convention is taking place. Morrison was told one school will be closing during the convention.
It is still unclear when CMS superintendent will make the decision.
"We have to look at the totality of the information," CMS School board chairperson Ericka Ellis-Stewart said. "Shared with us by those who are planning the DNC as well as our law enforcement officials locally and nationally and make informed decisions."
In addition to the three schools potentially closing, 22 other CMS schools will see a change too. The district says it will shuffle bus routes at those 22 schools.
"We're putting together transportation routes," Morrison said. "There will probably some students who start off at a different route."
The school board also approved four make up days if students from the three schools have to miss class because of the DNC.
CMS says it will incur an extra expense if schools close. It will cost more to open schools during those make up days.
Morrison says he is excited about the DNC coming to town, but is not excited about what the DNC is forcing him to consider - close schools.
"It's always our intent," the superintendent said. "As always - whether it's weather or whatever to keep schools open, but situations occur."
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