CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education held a special meeting Thursday night at the Government Center in Uptown. It started at 6:30p and then quickly went into closed session. The board remained in closed session for about three and a half hours. After the meeting concluded, board chair Stephanie Sneed emailed the following statement to local news media:
“Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education received an update tonight regarding the independent review involving Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill. The Board did not take any action, and the review remains ongoing.
The Board understands the importance of reaching a timely resolution and will continue working to determine what is in the best long-term interest of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Because this remains an active personnel matter, the Board is limited in what it can discuss.
While this process continues, the Board and district leadership remain focused on what matters most: ensuring our schools are open, ready and fully prepared to welcome students for a successful start to the new school year. Across CMS, the work of preparing for students continues every day, with principals, teachers and staff focused on supporting our students and school communities.”
Hill was placed on leave in June as the district investigates what it calls “matters of administrative and operational oversight.” CMS hired the Brooks Pierce Law Firm to conduct the investigation, which began in May. The school district has agreed to pay attorneys $275 per hour. CMS is also paying $450 an hour for a public relations group.
Hill has said she is unaware of specific concerns that led to her suspension. Sneed has said she believes the investigation will be finished by the start of school, which is August 25th.
