CMS won’t shorten winter break for storm makeup days. But what about next semester?

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools won’t shave two days off winter break to make up for October school closings during Tropical Storm Michael, the district announced Wednesday.

Dec. 19, the first day, and Jan. 2, the final day, are both designated as potential makeup days for 2018-19. The decision not to use them leaves three remaining makeup days during second semester and three that could be tagged on after school is scheduled to end June 7.

Most years, school closings are forced by ice or snow. This year CMS has already closed for five days because of Tropical Storms Florence and Michael.

School board policy gives the superintendent authority to waive up to four makeup days a year, and Superintendent Clayton Wilcox announced in September that he’d waive the three days that schools were closed for Florence, which hit the coast as a devastating hurricane. Some CMS schools were used as shelters for evacuees.

Wilcox hasn’t yet decided whether to schedule one or both of the makeup days for Michael closings later in the year, said spokesman Tracy Russ.

“We are mindful that the winter season is ahead of us and that we may face challenges related to weather in the coming months,” Wilcox said in a written statement. “We will continue to make decisions that put the safety of students, families and staff as the top priority.”