Mason Middle School and all Charlotte schools closed due to COVID-19, staff shortages

Mason Middle School and all Charlotte Public Schools buildings are closed for the rest of the week due to a rise in COVID-19 cases.

Mason Public Schools told families Wednesday that Mason Middle School would close Thursday and Friday due to an unspecified number of COVID-19 cases and exposures this week.

“Mason Middle School currently has enough positive cases of COVID-19 where remaining open is a concern,” the district wrote in an email to families.

Then, on Thursday, Charlotte Public Schools announced it would close all schools Friday due to rising case numbers and resulting staff shortages.

“With recent rising cases in our area, we are experiencing staff capacity concerns, which significantly affects our services to students,” said Charlotte Superintendent Mandy Stewart in a message to parents. “Due to staff capacity, we will be closed tomorrow, 11/5.”

There are 39 active COVID-19 cases in Charlotte Public Schools, according to the district's COVID-19 dashboard, but it’s unclear how many teachers and staff have been infected.

Mason Middle School had reported 30 new probable or positive COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday.

Neither school district could be reached for comment.

Neither Mason Middle School nor Charlotte Public Schools will transition to remote learning.

All extracurriculars at Mason Middle School are been canceled through Sunday, including athletics, robotics and jazz band. Charlotte Public Schools' Weymouth Child Development Center will stay open save for school-aged rooms. The Charlotte Public Schools Performing Arts Center and Aquatic Center will remain open, but with no after-school swimming for students.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Mason Middle School and all Charlotte schools closed due to COVID-19