"Sometimes We Don't Give Ourselves Enough Credit": The CMS Board of Education Keeps on Keeping on
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education
Meeting Summary - October 27, 2026
I. Call to Order
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) Board of Education meeting on October 27, 2026 was called to order by Chair Gregory 'Dee' Rankin a little after 6:10PM. Board Member Sneed motioned to remove two items (Approval of Construction Phase Services at Beverly Woods Elementary School and Approval of Construction Phase Services at Huntersville Elementary School) from the consent agenda and that they be moved to the following board meeting for review and discussion.The motion was seconded by Vice Chair Liz Monterrey Duvall.
Member Sneed spoke to her motions stating,
“These two contracts represent $111 million of spending. At this time we are in the process of reviewing our contracting and subcontracting, and conflict of interest policies and procedures. They may need to be clarified and are still unresolved, therefore those items need to be delayed”.
Vice Chair Monterrey Duvall added, “I think that this work is already in progress so I don’t foresee it significantly delaying the work, but I do think it’s important (to review) given the circumstances and the climate and the amount . . .”.
The board voted to approve (6-3) the amendment with Board Member Cynthia Stone, Monty Witherspoon, and Lenora Shipp.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Melissa Balknight then recognized several high school students for their success and achievements in Math 1.
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 amended consent agenda by a 6-3 vote with Board Member Cynthia Stone, Monty Witherspoon, and Lenora Shipp voting in opposition.
The consent agenda includes property easements to Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte, the purchase of a new office space, and a three year contract with the communication platform ParentSquare.
Consent Agenda Items
Contract Approvals
Recommend Approval of Funding for EPS Operations, LLC (SPIRE Curriculum) - $327,416.13
Literacy curriculum for EC students
Recommend Approval of 2026-2027 Off-Duty Traffic Pay - $348,000
Payment for traffic direction and control across the district
Recommend Approval of ParentSquare Contract - $1,725,552 over 3 years
Parent/school communication tool
General Business
Recommend Approval of Micro-Purchase Threshold Self Certification
Standards and practices for small purchases by the district
Recommend Approval of a Greenway Easement to Mecklenburg County at CrownPoint Elementary School
Extends the Irvin’s Creek Greenway further along Crown Point Elementary’s property
Recommend Approval of an Easement to Mecklenburg County at McKee Road Elementary School
3,961 sq.ft. easement to Mecklenburg County to add access from McKee Road Elementary to a dog park being built at McKee Park
Recommend Approval of an Easement to the City of Charlotte at Reedy Creek Elementary School
145 sq.ft. easement to City of Charlotte for the installation of pedestrian crossing signal
Recommend Approval of Licensed/Non-Licensed Hires
Purchases
Recommend Approval of an Office Building Purchase at 4100 South Stream - $16,780,000
Office space to replace the office currently located at E.E. Waddell
III. Public Engagement
Modifications to A-ILM: Instructional and Library Media Center Materials
- First Reading
Proposed modifications aim to modernize the language of the policy by changing ‘textbooks’ to 'instructional materials' and adding a section on how library materials, which was also redefined, can be contested.
Modifications to P-PLV: Parental Leave - First Reading & Public Hearing
Changes to this policy extend paternal leave from 8 to 12 weeks and expand the definition of the “qualifying event” to include “bonding with a newborn biological child, or a newly placed adopted, fostered, or otherwise legally placed child under the age of 18”. These changes are the result of recent state legislation.
There were no public speakers.
Modifications to S-DISC: Student Discipline - First Reading & Public Hearing
The proposed modification modernize the language of policy and updates the term ‘textbooks’ to ‘instructional materials’. No major policy changes were proposed.
There were no public speakers.
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.
Reports included:
Voluntary Separation and Promotions through October 27, 2026
Budget Amendments for September 2026
Contract/Change Orders for September 2026
Elevating the Student Experience: Phase 1
Student Outcomes Focused Governance Guardrail 2, Interim Guardrail 2.1, 2.2,2.3 Progress Monitoring Report
Student Outcomes Focused Governance Goal 3, Interim Measures 3.2, 3.3
Transportation Review
Budget Amendments for September 2026
Interim Superintendent Balknight presented the budget amendments “as presented”, a procedural action that means that the document is as it has always been and no changes were made to the document since it was provided to the board 11 days prior to the school board meeting. This action is meant to streamline the process of reviewing regularly occurring documents.
However, Member Sneed motioned to discuss the report. Member Sneed wanted clarification around the “decrease” in salary and benefits. Chief Beth Thomas clarified that salaries and benefits did not decrease but were reallocated to a different budget due to a reduction in funding from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) than originally projected. Member Sneed continued her line of questioning about the ‘reduction’ in support despite Chief Thomas' clear explanations that the budget amendment reflected accounting practices and not an actual reduction in services within the district.
Contract/Change Orders for September 2026
Interim Superintendent Balknight also presented this report “as presented”. Again, Member Sneed motioned to discuss the contents of the report. Specifically, Member Sneed wanted to know why there would be a need to increase a contract.
Member Sneed stated, “These contracts are with particular vendors, and I would like to see these vetted through the processes that we come up with . . . In terms of determining the fidelity of these contracts, conflicts of interest and all the things that we are looking into right now”.
Elevating the Student Experience: Phase 1
Presented by Chief Thompson and Execuative Director of Strategy Management Danielle Miller this report reviewed Phase 1 of the district's effort to create a better student experience. During Phase 1, the district conducted community and family outreach, as well as an interval review.
Results of Parent Survey: What Families and the Community Want to Know
What a students' daily experience in CMS is like
More information about digital platforms being used in the district
The amount of screen time students receive through instructional time.
The purpose, reason, and effectiveness of assessments
Of the 185,000 parents contacted around 1% (2,501) responded to the online survey meant to capture family beliefs.
Results of Internal Review: What Needs to Happen
Opportunity to consolidate resources and tools
Enable staff through centralized information and consistent execution of initiatives
Use proven success in other schools to implement high impact practices across the district.
Goal for Phase 2:
Gain a better understanding on internal and external beliefs and wants
Development screen time guidelines
Development of universal screeners and personalized pathway guides
Student Outcomes Focused Governance Guardrail 2, Interim Guardrail 2.1, 2.2,2.3 Progress Monitoring Report
Presented by Interim Superintendent Balknight, the report on Guardrail 2, which aims to track perceived teacher and student safety, indicated that the district is moving towards a learning environment that teachers and staff feel safe to work and learn in.
Student Outcomes Focused Governance Goal 3, Interim Measures 3.2, 3.3
Presented by Interim Superintendent Balknight, the report on Goal 3 (High School Math 1 scores) made apparent that the district continues to struggle to meet its intended target. Over the last three years the district has missed its goal, averaging an increase of 2% for Goal 3, 6% for Goal 3.2.
Transportation Review
Presented by Associate Superintendent of Operations, Nicole Portee, the transportation review clarified the district's intent and process for changing bus routes and bus stops for the 2027/2028 school year. Ms. Portee emphasized that no decisions have been made and the previous report to the board was part of the process to inform and work with the board to develop transportation changes.
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.
Actions Items Included:
Modifications to Policy O-SVA: Service Animals O-SVA 9.22.26.pdf
Creation of Policy S-FAMC: Family & Community Engagement S-FAMC 9.9.26.pdf
Proposed Creation of A-TECH: Technology and Future Ready Learning
Proposed Modifications to S-FELD: Field Trips
Proposed Modifications to S-DISC: Student Discipline
Proposed Modifications to P-PLV: Parental Leave
Modifications to policies O-SVA: Service Animals, S-FELD: Field Trips, and S-DISC: Student Discipline were all passed unanimously (8-0; Vice Chair Monterray Duvall was not present for the votes)
Creation of policies S-FAMC: Family & Community Engagement and A-TECH: Technology and Future Ready Learning were referred back to the policy committee after Board Member Charlitta Hatch proposed a substitute motion to review and incorporate community input into the new policies before a full vote by the board.
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VI.Closing
The meeting adjourned at 8:56PM
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