CMS Superintendent back on the job after an investigation

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Charlotte Mecklenburg School Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill is back on the job after a three month investigation.

“To ignore it or to pretend that it didn’t happen would not be authentic, and that’s simply not who I am. However, I want to point out that today is not the time or the place to have that discussion” Dr. Crystal Hill, CMS Superintendent said.

CMS hosted a briefing to give details on welcoming more than 144,000 students back to class Tuesday. Dr. Hill would not go into details about why the board investigated her or any action taken against her.

The Board of Education has been tight lipped about the investigation into Dr. Hill citing privacy laws. When asked if she thought Crystal Hill is doing a good job, board member Cynthia Stone ran away from news cameras.
The Board hired the Brooks Pierce Law Firm to investigate Dr. Hill at a rate of $275 per hour. Last week, we asked how much the final bill is, but have not yet heard back.

At the conclusion of the investigation, the Board voted to bring her back. Board Chair Stephanie Sneed has declined to say if it was a unanimous vote.

“CMS is not centered around one person, one elected official. We are open for business to do the right things for our students at Charlotte Mecklenburg schools,” Chair Sneed said.

The Board said the investigation did find issues related to leadership and operational practices that they will address directly with Dr. Hill. Dr. Hill says she is committed to the job and students.

“I feel very confident about my leadership and the leadership of our team,” Dr. Hill said. “I think it’s important to remember that we have 18,000 employees and things don’t just happen. People make them happen.”

Dr. Hill did say she would address the investigation at a later time, but did not give a specific date. Students return to class on Tuesday August 25th.