Long Lingering Questions Go Unanswered as the CMS Board Attempts to Refocus on Students
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education
Meeting Summary - October 13, 2026
"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you to the Teachers. As usual they're keeping the train on the track" Board Member Cynthia Stone - District 5
I. Call to Order
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) Board of Education meeting on October 13, 2026 was called to order by Chair Gregory 'Dee' Rankin. A motion to adjust the agenda was passed unanimously (9–0).
Connor Maguire, a 5th grader from Palisades Park Elementary, led the Pledge of Allegiance and shared an original essay on citizenship, family heritage, and being a good citizen
II. Consent Agenda
What is a Consent Agenda?
A group of routine items, like past meeting minutes, standard bills, and minor personnel updates, that are combined and approved in a single vote. To ensure transparency, any board member can easily "pull" an item from the consent agenda to discuss and vote on it separately.
The Board approved the consent agenda by a vote of 7-1-0, with Member Sneed voting in opposition and Member Hatch abstaining from the vote.
The consent agenda included the School Improvement Plans, real estate tractions, like the sale of the former Collinswood Language Academy property, technology and operational contracts, as well as updates to the student outcomes monitoring calendar and personnel appointments.
Consent Agenda Items
Meeting Minutes
Recommend Approval of Closed Session Minutes from
March 10, 2026
March 24, 2026
April 14, 2026
April 28, 2026
May 2, 2026
May 8th, 2026
May 12, 2026
May 13, 2026
May 19, 2026
May 26, 2026
Recommend Approval of Closed Session Personnel Appeal Hearing Minutes for March 12, 2026
Contract Approvals
Recommend Approval of JAMF Software renewal - $275,456.25
Mobile device management software to manage Apple devices in the district.
Recommend Approval of district-wide break/fix service program - $2,100,000
Contract with CDW and Cell Tech to implement a district wide technology repair programs.
Recommend Approval of Infor (Lawson) Software License Renewal - $652,625.15
Human resources and payroll software
Recommend Approval to Expense Spectrum Monthly Invoices - $1,113,360.16
Continuing internet service for the district and adding three new sites to the contract. The sites include: Dilworth Elementary School, Cato Ridge Middle School, and a 2nd site at UNCC.
Recommend Approval of Runnvation LLC Invoice #BR100-03CMBE26 - $13,375
For services rendered in a previous fiscal year.
Recommend Approval of Successful Practice Network Attendance Proposal - $297,525
A coaching and support program meant to reduce chronic absenteeism in 14 schools.
General Business
Recommend Approval of 2026-27 School Improvement Plans
Schools designated by the state as “low-performing” are required to create school improvement plans developed by each school's School Improvement Team (SIT). The plans must be approved by the school board to be accepted by the state.
Recommend Approval of the Sale of the Former Collinswood Language Academy Property - +$15,000,000
Declared surplus by the BOE in September of 2021, the property was being used as an administrative space up until 2026. The property is located at 4000 Applegate Rd. Charlotte, NC 28209 and constitutes 15 acres.
Recommend Approval of the Sale of the Remnant Property Near Highland Creek Elementary School - +$575,000
Declared surplus in May 2026, this remnant property constitutes 6.39 acres of wooded land near Shelley Ave, near Highland Creek Elementary School
Recommend Approval of the Surplus Declaration and Sale of the Remnant Property Near the Former J.T. Williams Montessori Property - +$22,000
Parcel is .494 acres of land separated from the school's main property by I-77
Recommend Approval of Revised Student Outcomes Monitoring Calendar
Recommend Approval of Personnel Appointments
Recommend Approval of Licensed/Non-Licensed Hires through October 13, 2026
"The ongoing conflicts of interest, lack of transparency and misuse of taxpayer funds that should directly support our classrooms and our students has undermined this community's trust. The public deserves leaders" Anna Margaret Gidley - Parent
III. Public Engagement
Public Hearing
Proposed Modifications to Policy O-SVA: Service Animals
The proposed modification include, adding language that requires students and staff to complete an information form for all service animals and for principles to notify security personnel of all service animals on CMS property.
Proposed Creation of Policy S-FAMC: Family & Community Engagement
A formal policy that seeks to define district requirements for engagement amongst the district, the BOE, schools and families.
Proposed Creation of A-TECH Technology and Future Ready Learning
A formal policy that seeks to define the districts belief around the use and implementation of technology in the classroom.
Proposed Modifications to S-FELD Field Trips
The proposed modifications will add new policies and procedures around international field trips.
Proposed Modifications to B-EQU Equity
Language updated to reflect recent state legislation that prohibits the use of diversity, equity and inclusion language and practices in educational policies and procedures.
Public Comment
A total of 49 individuals spoke during the general public comment period, these speakers included students, parents, volunteers, and CMS employees. The public comment sections centered around 4 core themes: proposed bell schedule changes, access to programming, classroom technology, as well as, board governance and misconduct allegations.
Proposed Bell Schedule Changes
Several students and parents from the South Academy of International Languages (SAIL) spoke in opposition to the proposed bell schedule changes. SAIL families claimed that a shift from an 8:15 AM to 9:15 AM start time would negatively impact family schedules and cause families to leave CMS. Instead, SAIL families believe that CMS should reinstate consolidated/express bus stops to alleviate the transportation burden.
Access to Programming
Hopewell High School Student Body President, Finn Ernest, advocated for a CMS Student Activities Equity Fund to support struggling non-athletic clubs, noting that Providence High's speech and debate funding dropped from $1,000 to $200. While, Stephanie Graston spoke about the misalignment between transportation funding for McKinney-Vento students who also have AIG status.
Classroom Technology
Schools Beyond Screen CLT had several members speak about the changes they want CMS to make in regards to classroom technology practices and screen time usage. Specifically, the organization is looking for the following:
A comprehensive technology audit
Reevaluation of the i-Ready Contract
Elimination of 1:1 devices in K-2
Bell-to-bell cell phone ban
Board Governance and Misconduct Allegations
Parent Ann-Margret Gidley presented a petition signed by 1,179 community members formally demanding the immediate resignations of Board Members Stephanie Sneed, Charlitta Hatch, Gregory 'Dee' Rankin, Liz Monterray Duvall, and Shamaiya Haynes following the vote to terminate Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill for convenience without public notice. While other speakers criticized the district's expenditure of $379,000 for an investigation into former Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill which found no wrong doing.
IV. Reports
Why are there reports?
The section of the meeting is dedicated to informational presentations by the superintendent, staff, or board committees on district progress, finances, and special projects. Votes are not always required for reports.
The District presented reports to the board on student outcomes around 2025/2026 EVAAS results, Goal 2 (College and Career Readiness in Reading 3-8), Goal 3 (College and Career Readiness in Math1), and an updated on a 12 month pay option for teachers.
2025-26 End of Year EVAAS Growth Student Achievement Results Report
Chief Beth Thompson briefed the Board on 2025/2026 End-of-Year EVAAS (Education Value-Added Assessment System) student growth data, confirming that CMS students met or exceeded state growth expectations across multiple core subject areas.
Student Outcomes Focused Governance Goal 2 (Grades 6-8) 2025-26 End of Year Monitoring Report
Presented by Interim Superintendent Dr. Melissa Balknight, the report on student College and Career Readiness (CCR) in reading across grades 3–8 for the 2025/2026 school year showed that CMS achieved 35% CCR overall, an increase from the baseline, but missed the 43% annual target. For reading in grades 6-8, the district achieved a reached 32% CCR, missing its 41% annual target.
Student Outcomes Focused Governance Goal 3 (Grades 6-8) 2025-26 End of Year Monitoring Report
Dr. Balknight presented information for Goal 3 which aims to increase CCR on Math 1 assessments from 27% to 57% by June 2029. Overall Math 1 students reached a 30% CCR, a 9 point increase from the previous year but short of the 47% annual target. The report highlighted that middle school Math 1 students achieves 90% CCR, with Black middle school students demonstrating the largest subgroup increase from 55% to 80%.
12-Month Pay Options for 10-Month Employees
Chief Beth Thompson delivered the executive summary regarding state-mandated 12-month installment pay options for 10-month employees. The report made the following points:
In August 2026, the State Employees' Credit Union (SECU) altered its "Summer Cash" program from a district processed payroll deduction to employee directed ACH transfers via the Lawson system.
State law specifies payroll deduction mechanisms, and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) School Business Director is reviewing whether SECU's direct deposit model satisfies legal requirements.
CMS Finance and Strategy Management distributed an interest survey to 10-month employees to assess demand for district-managed 12-month pay options, with results to be presented in late October.
Superintendent's Report
Interim Superintendent Dr. Balknight celebrated National Principals Month, naming Bob Myers of Myers Park High as CMS Principal of the Year and launched the #CMSProud campaign to highlight ongoing student achievements across the district.
""I stand by it, my decisions and actions, every single one . . . " Board Member Shamaiye Haynes - District 2
In Response to community asking her to resign after her vote to fire Dr. Crystal Hill as Superinendent
V. Action Items
What are Action Items?
Action Items are the are specific proposals that require the school board to take formal action by holding a public debate and casting a vote.
Proposed Modifications to B-EQU Equity
With little discussion, the Board passed modified revisions to Policy B-EQU, officially renamed "Intentional Access", to comply with North Carolina Session Law 2026-41. The revised policy eliminates references to the term "equity" and language including "women" and "minority." Board Member Stone and Board Member Hatch voted in opposition.
Public Report Regarding Superintendent Investigation
The board reviewed and officially accepted for public disclosure a public report regarding the investigation in former Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill.
The report made the following points:
The total cost of the investigation was $379,000 and was conducted by the Brooks Pierce law firm.
No conflict of interest and no improper contracting by the former superintendent were found.
The board needs to begin establishing reforms centered around conflict of interest and contracting policies, improving district wide work culture, establishing safe methods for staff to communicate operational concerns, and protocols for staff vacancies.
The Board plans to schedule public work sessions to execute these recommendations with staff input.
.
Closing
The meeting adjourned around 9:30 PM.
Comments