Charlotte-area school districts make decisions on classes ahead of Debby's impacts Thursday (2024)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Students in several school districts in the region may be starting the school year differently due to the possible impacts of Tropical Storm Debby.

Rowan-Salisbury Schools

In a notice shared with parents and posted online, the district said the first day of school originally slated for Thursday, August 8 will be canceled. The message said projected rain and winds are expected to bring flooding, make trees fall, and cause power outages.

District leaders later decided against holding classes on Friday. In an email Thursday, R-SS said school would be canceled Friday. It will also be an optional workday for all staff, with a possible option to work remotely if approved by a direct supervisor.

School activities, such as games, practices, and other extracurricular activities, can resume at 4 p.m. Friday.

R-SS would not be the only Charlotte-area district to make that choice. In a similar announcement shared on social media, Stanly County Schools said it would not hold class on Thursday or Friday. The first day of class has been rescheduled to Monday, August 12.

Union County Public Schools

Union County Public Schools also said all school district facilities would be closed Thursday, and that all events including driver's education and athletic events are canceled. While students don't return to class until August 26, the district is keeping facilities closed as a precaution.

A full statement follows:

Full UCPS statement from their website: UCPS senior leaders have been in contact with emergency management teams to receive updates on weather and road conditions. It is expected that Tropical Storm Debby will bring flooding and severe weather conditions to our area on Thursday, August 8.

In addition, the Union County Board of Commissioners issued a State of Emergency that will go into effect tonight at 8 p.m.

As a safety precaution, all Union County Public Schools facilities will be closed for students and staff on Thursday, August 8.

• Employees will telework or take an annual leave day on August 8. All UCPS facilities will be closed. Please work with your supervisor if you have questions about your work schedule.
• August 8 will be an optional teacher workday for Wolfe School and Union County Early College staff. These employees may telework or use an annual leave day.
• All district, school, after-school, driver’s education and athletic events are cancelled on August 8.

Senior leaders will continue to receive updates from emergency management and law enforcement officials all day tomorrow and through Thursday evening. Information about Friday’s schedule will be announced Thursday night.

Cabarrus County Schools

Similarly, Cabarrus County Schools shared the district would be closed Thursday for Early College Students and those at the Mary Frances Wall Center. There won't be a make-up day for Early College Students because of additional hours built into the calendar. Further, KIDS:PLUS won't operate, all athletic or extracurricular activities are canceled, and elementary school open houses are postponed to Monday, Aug. 12 from 3-6 p.m.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools also confirmed it would move early and middle colleges to asynchronous learning Thursday, canceling extracurricular activities and sorts. Following is the statement shared by CMS online:

Due to severe weather alerts for Thursday, August 8, 2024, all Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools early and middle colleges will move to asynchronous learning for the day. There will be no extracurricular activities or sports.

Confidence continues to increase for the heaviest rainfall amounts to occur along and/or east of I-77. A Flood Watch has been issued along and east of I-77 with 4” to 8” of rain expected thru Friday afternoon, with locally higher amounts possible in areas across Mecklenburg County. This weather report can lead to safety concerns for our early/middle college students and families.

As always, the safety and well-being of our students and staff are of the utmost importance. We appreciate your cooperation and patience. Remember schools will be closed for early and middle college students, and they will be provided learning asynchronously. If you have difficulty accessing the asynchronous learning, please contact your school.

Cleveland County Schools and Lincoln County Schools

Both Cleveland County Schools and Lincoln County Schools had activities slated to get students ready ahead of the school year on Thursday that needed to be adjusted. Cleveland County families are asked to check their individual schools' social media pages for updated orientation schedules, while Lincoln County's middle and high school open house was moved to Monday, August 12 from 4-6 p.m.

Chesterfield County School District

Clover School District

The Clover School District has closed school for Aug. 8 due to potential flooding impacts. All CSD facilities are closed.

The district originally said it would operate on a normal schedule for Thursday, but made the announcement just before 6:30 a.m.

Fort Mill School District and Rock Hill Schools

Both Rock Hill and Fort Mill school districts are set to open on time Thursday morning, though families are encouraged to give themselves extra time to get to school.

It's up to the district whether school buses will run normally, based on road conditions.

York School District 1

Schools in York School District 1 will be closed Thursday due to high winds, heavy rains and flash flooding impacts from Debby.

Lancaster County School District

All Lancaster County schools and facilities are closed Thursday due to Debby's impacts, and all events or activities are canceled.