Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools reveals how it'll handle finances after top staff leave
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will turn to an outside consulting firm to help oversee its finances after its chief financial officer retires at the end of December, the district announced Tuesday. CMS has selected HIL Group, a firm that specializes in supporting North Carolina school districts, to provide financial management, budget development and operational support beginning Jan. 1, 2027. The arrangement comes amid significant turnover in district leadership. Chief Financial Officer Kelly Kluttz is one of five members of former Superintendent Crystal Hill’s 10-person cabinet who left or announced plans to leave CMS, as previously reported by The Charlotte Observer. “Our priority is to maintain strong financial oversight, ensure uninterrupted operations, and provide a transparent, cost-conscious solution while the district addresses this critical leadership need,” a news release states. Rather than immediately appointing a new CFO, CMS will designate an existing employee as its statutory finance officer while the consulting firm provides specialized financial support. The employee, whom CMS has not identified, will retain their current duties and will not receive a CFO salary. CMS Chief of Strategy and Innovation Beth Thompson will coordinate budget communications with the school board and public. The initial agreement with HIL Group, formally known as Hurd,
