Jefferson
Jefferson, SC · Education
Charlotte Observer
Charlotte Observer
‘We are a mess.' CMS board creates committee to examine its own problems
After weeks of turmoil , controversies and occasional infighting , the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board Tuesday agreed on at least one thing: It needs to take a hard look at itself. The board voted unanimously to establish an ad hoc committee tasked with evaluating its governance practices and recommending reforms, nearly seven weeks after the contentious firing of Superintendent Crystal Hill. The move follows repeated calls from board members and the public to address concerns about accountability, transparency and their ability to work together. At the September meeting where Hill was fired and board member Stephanie Sneed stepped down from her post as board chair, board member Monty Witherspoon called the board “dysfunctional” and said it had “spiraled into chaos.” Board member Haynes, who spearheaded the proposal, acknowledged the board’s struggles in urging her colleagues to support the committee. “A few weeks ago, one of us said it plainly: ‘We are a mess,’” Haynes said. “We’ve sounded the alarm. Now are we prepared to change?” The newly established Board Strategy, Governance, and Operations Committee will develop recommendations for improving board operations, strengthening governance practices and creating a strategic plan for the board itself. Its responsibilities include evaluating the board’s existing Student
Charlotte Observer
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,