The CMS Board of Education had the ceremony for three of its new members on December 13th in the chamber of the government center. Tim Morgan(Former District 6 Representative), Ericka Ellis-Stewart and Mary McCray were all sworn-in as at-large board of education members. This ceremony started a few minutes after 5:00 pm. Many friends and family members of those taking the at-large member oath were present. Delicious refreshments were served immediately following the ceremony.
The regular board meeting followed at a few minutes after 6:00 pm. The board voted on an agenda and the announced that it is taking applications for the vacant District 6 seat. The deadline for the applications is 3:00 pm on January 2nd , 2012. The goal is to have the new District 6 person seated with the board by the January 10th, 2012 meeting. This followed with the vote for chairperson and vice-chairperson. The vote was 8-0 for both Ericka Ellis-Stewart as chairperson and Mary McCray as vice-chairperson. The board did take a break for a few minutes while the board properly changed their seating arrangement based on board protocol.
The board then heard from the public. Bolyn McClung spoke and would like students to be allowed to have legal representation when coming before the board for disciplinary actions. Several others spoke out during the public speaking time. One mother, Jenny Woo, and one student, who spoke separately, both are upset by the number of students with weapons entering CMS Schools. Jenny Woo described her 10-year-old son, not present, being threatened by another student at school with a knife. Both speakers recommended stiffer penalties for students who bring weapons to school.
The board heard about the data and comments given in the online survey. 9,123 people, including some high school students, participated in the survey, concerning the search for a new superintendent. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte(UNCC), Central Piedmont Community College(CPCC), Queens College and Johnson C. Smith University all had representation on the advisory committee that handled this survey. Jeff Michael, from UNCC, gave this presentation. Mr. Michael hopes that the board will use the information from this survey as a whole as a rich resource of information.
Later the board heard from Interim Superintendent Hugh Hattabaugh, Scott McCully, Ann Clark and several other staff members on the outcomes of the school closings and mergers. The principals from Marie G. Davis, Druid Hills and Cochrane Middle were also presenters for this report. Harding High School has seen a dramatic increase in suspension rates since the closing of E.E. Waddell and Garinger High Schools last school year. Harding High School has seen a 37% increase in suspensions this school year and South Mecklenburg High School has seen a 7% increase over last year while West Mecklenburg High School has seen a 15% decrease in suspensions. The percent of teacher turnover at these 42 schools now stands at 1%, which is the same rate as teacher turnover in the rest of CMS. Interim Superintendent Hugh Hattabaugh stated that as a whole the 42 schools that saw changes are going in the right direction.
The principal from Marie G. Davis is happy with how the changes at this school have been good changes. Marie G. Davis is now a K-12 school on two campus’s. Both Druid Hills and Cochrane Middle are now Pre-K-8 and also maintain two distinctly different campus’s for the different age groups. All three principals are happy with the progress being made but do have high hopes to keep this momentum moving toward higher scholastic goals. Cochrane is in the process of assigning iPads for each student. The goal is to have all of the students books and information on the iPads in the next few weeks. At-large board member, Tim Morgan, would like to see more schools in CMS using technology like Cochrane. Morgan is very happy with how technology is being used at Cochrane. Morgan also noted that in the online survey, the high schoolers made a large number of comments about needing more technology in the classroom. Everyone saw a great video about the improvements being made at Cochrane Middle. Cochrane is working to be intentional in their relationships with their students while working to retain great teachers.
Several new proposals had their first reading. A few of the board of education members gave reports on schools and communities that they have recently visited.
The next board of education regular meeting will be January 10th at 6:00 pm in the chamber of the government center. The government center is located at: 600 East Fourth Street, Charlotte, North Carolina. All are encouraged to attend.