School Delays Hit Western North Carolina as Snow Forces Closures and Remote Learning

Widespread school delays and closures roiled parts of the North Carolina mountains on Monday, Feb. 23, as snow and subfreezing temperatures led many districts to close or move to remote instruction. The disruptions matter because one county has now exceeded the number of remote learning days permitted under state law, prompting urgent planning for how to make up missed instructional time.

Mountain districts close or shift to remote on Feb. 23

Snow and subfreezing temperatures over the weekend and overnight prompted several mountain-area districts to adjust schedules for Monday, Feb. 23. Ashe County was among the areas that either closed or implemented remote learning for the day. In nearby lower-elevation areas, conditions were colder than normal but did not include wintry precipitation; morning lows dipped into the 20s with a brisk wind and highs were expected to reach the 40s before a midweek rebound.

These weather-driven school delays reflect a broader pattern of winter disruptions in the region, with districts making day-of decisions based on safety and road conditions.

School Delays Force Districts to Weigh Make-up Options

Buncombe County has exceeded the number of remote learning days allowed under state law after its closure on Monday, Feb. 23. Because this closure does not count toward required instructional hours, district leaders face a choice of how to preserve the mandated minimum of instructional time: converting scheduled teacher workdays into student days or extending the academic year. State law requires at least 1, 025 hours or 185 days of instruction.

District officials and the board of education are actively reviewing next steps. Parents and staff impacted by the latest round of school delays are awaiting final decisions on whether the calendar will be adjusted or other measures will be taken to meet the instructional-hour requirement.

What to expect next after weather-related school delays

District leaders are considering a small set of options that directly respond to lost instructional time: change remaining calendars to convert workdays to student days, add days to the end of the year, or adjust other district schedules where feasible. The board and administrators are evaluating which measures best balance instructional needs and practical constraints.

• Immediate impact: Multiple mountain districts closed or moved to remote schedules on Feb. 23 due to snow and cold.
• Legal threshold: Buncombe County has now gone past the permitted number of remote learning days; the disputed closure will not satisfy required instructional hours.
• Potential remedies being considered: Convert teacher workdays to student days or extend the school year; district leadership is reviewing options.

Recent updates indicate the situation is evolving as school leaders finalize decisions about make-up days and calendar changes. Details about specific calendar amendments or formal board actions are pending while administrators complete their review. School families should watch for official announcements from their local district for final guidance on any changes tied to these school delays.