Wake schools holding on final snow make-up dates

Wake County school leaders are awaiting the impact from Thursday night's winter weather before announcing final snow make-up dates, the district said.

The district will operate on a two-hour delay Friday due to forecasts of icy road conditions.

"We encourage families to pay close attention to media reports and the district web site for possible updates in the morning," the district said in a statement. "WCPSS officials will continue to monitor the weather and road conditions throughout the county early Friday morning to determine when buses can safely transport students to school."

School officials did not say when they will decide on the snow dates. Based on Thursday night's weather, another make-up day may have to be added, officials said.

School board members on Tuesday decided that Good Friday and one Saturday each in April and May will be make-up days from last week’s snow storms. All three make-up days will be full school days, not half-days, as is usually the case when school is held on Saturdays.

The decision was met with displeasure from parents and students.

"Twitter erupted with very negative responses," Sophia Walsh, a senior at Apex High School, said Tuesday. "A lot of us have family commitments that have been set for a while, and if we miss those school days, they count as absences and they are unexcused."

School leaders said the decision was the best solution for nine different school calendars to have the same make-up days.

"Again, parents have made plans and whatever day we pick there is going to be conflict," school board chairwoman Christine Kushner said. "We are looking for the least disruptive solution."

Wake schools previously announced that students will attend a full day of school on March 6 and April 17, both former early-release days, to make-up snow days from Feb. 17-20.