CHARLOTTE, N.C. — During an emergency board meeting Friday night, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools announced it would adjust the spring break schedule to help with coronavirus concerns.

“As we have been dealing with the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic there have been some difficult decisions we needed to make,” said Superintendent Earnest Winston. “Beginning, March 19 we will be closing school to students.”

During Friday's meeting, the board amended the 2019-2020 academic calendar to move spring break from April 13-17 to March 23-27. Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20 will become teacher workdays.

Officials say the closure will allow the district time to prepare for online classes and other instructional delivery systems should they become necessary.