Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education Regular Meetings Recap (End of March & April 2020 Meetings)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 28, 2020

Charlotte (NC) — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education met, in regular session, twice in April 2020. Additionally, the Intergovernmental Relationships Committee met once. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education also met on March 24, 2020 & March 31, 2020 as well. All meetings were held electronically. Below, you will find a high-level recap of each of these meetings.

“I believe that community members want to remain updated on school board actions,” Becoats said. “As a result, while I am exploring a candidacy for CMS School Board, I will be watching school board meetings, taking notes on action items, & recapping the meetings for community members. It is my hope that the community learns about the Board of Education’s important actions from these recaps.”

March 24, 2020 & March 31, 2020 Meeting

• On March 24, 2020, the Board of Education received numerous reports on COVID-19, Transportation Management Oversight, Bonds & Capital Needs, & the Superintendent’s Proposed Budget for the 2020–2021 Fiscal Year. The Superintendent’s Proposed Budget seeks a $538 million appropriation from Mecklenburg County. More information on the budget proposal can be found here.
• On March 24, 2020, the Board of Education also approved a number of committee appointments. The appointments were as follows: Stephanie Sneed (Bond Oversight Committee), Dennis Dreyer (Bond Oversight Committee), Angela Ambroise (Bond Oversight Committee), Jaylen Adams (Equity Committee), & Paul Ruona (Arts & Sciences Committee).
• More information on the March 24, 2020 Board of Education meeting can be found by reviewing the agenda, from that meeting, here.
• On March 31, 2020, the Board of Education held an emergency meeting. During the emergency meeting, the Board of Education voted to approve a temporary approval to suspend quasi-judicial hearings. Additionally, the Board of Education approved a local emergency leave policy. More information on the policy can be found here. Additionally, this article describes the policy as well.
• More information on the March 31, 2020 Emergency Board of Education meeting can be found by reviewing the agenda, from that meeting, here.

April 8, 2020 Meeting

• On April 8, 2020, the Board of Education met in regular session. During this meeting, general public comment & public hearings were held on Policy BDD (Board/Superintendent Relations) & the Superintendent’s Proposed 2020–2021 Budget.
• The Board also suspended more board policies due to limitations as a result of COVID-19. The policies the Board suspended are policy IKF & IKF-E. This policy is in relationship to graduation requirements & only affects seniors in the class of 2020. More information on the suspended policy can be found here. Additionally, the Board approved grants for West Charlotte STEAM Academy & Charlotte Mecklenburg Academy and approved a lease with UNCC at Amay James Pre-K Center.
• The Board also approved a premium pay plan for designated employees who are essential staff. More information on the new policy can be found here.
• The Board conducted a work session, on the Superintendent’s Proposed 2020–2021 Fiscal Year Budget, during this meeting where Board Members questions were answered.
• More information on the April 8, 2020 Board of Education meeting can be found by reviewing the agenda, from that meeting, here.

April 21, 2020 Intergovernmental Relationships Committee Meeting

• On April 21, 2020 the Intergovernmental Relationships Committee of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education met.
• The Committee discussed the legislative requests of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System to the Mecklenburg County State Legislative Delegation during the 2020 Short Session. A number of request were made by Board Members & the committee voted to submit the legislative requests to the delegation via a letter. The letter can be found on their Facebook page.
• More information on the April 21, 2020 Intergovernmental Relationships Committee meeting can be found by reviewing the agenda, from that meeting, below.

April 21, 2020 IRC Committee Meeting Agenda

April 28, 2020 Meeting

• On April 28, 2020 the Board of Education met in regular session. The Board of Education discussed a number of construction projects, tennis court replacements, & an appointment to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Planning Commission.
• The appointment of Astrid Chirinos was approved by a vote of 7 (Dashew, Byers-Bailey, Cheek, Sawyer, Marshall, De La Jara, & Shipp voted yes) to 2 (Jones & Strain voted no).
• The Board of Education approved an authorization, for the Chief Financial Officer, to approve purchase orders for Fiscal Year 2020–2021 so that items required for next school year can be purchased.
• The Board of Education approved the following personnel appointments: Stephanie Hood as Principal at North Mecklenburg High School, Collette Rodgers as Executive Director of Total Rewards in the Human Resources Department, & Christopher Law as Director of Pre-K Services.
• Board Chair Elyse Dashew made the following announcements:

1) The Superintendent has convened a graduation task force and is seeking recommendations, from seniors, below.

2) The subcommittees of the Community Equity Committee have been cleared to meet electronically.

• Superintendent Earnest Winston provided information on the Capital Report for the Replacement of West Charlotte High School & Olympic Relief High School.
• At this Board meeting, members of the Board of Education approved the construction phase of both the West Charlotte Replacement High School & the Olympic Relief High School. The motion passed 7 (Dashew, Byers-Bailey, Cheek, Sawyer, Marshall, De La Jara, & Shipp voted yes) to 1(Strain voted no), 1(Jones abstained). More information on the construction of these schools can be found here.
• Additionally, members of the Board of Education approved changes to policy BDD, Superintendent-Board Relations in order to streamline communication protocols in CMS. The Board of Education helped Superintendent Winston develop a regulation to accompany this policy that will be released soon. The motion passed 9 (Dashew, Byers-Bailey, Cheek, Jones, Sawyer, Marshall, Strain, De La Jara, & Shipp voted yes) to 0. More information on the new policy BDD can be found here.
• Also, members of the Board of Education approved the proposed Fiscal Year 2020–2021 Operating Budget as presented by the Superintendent. The motion passed 8 (Dashew, Byers-Bailey, Cheek, Jones, Sawyer, Marshall, De La Jara, & Shipp voted yes) to 1 (Strain voted no). More information about the approved budget can be found here.
• More information on the April 28, 2020 Board of Education meeting can be found by reviewing the agenda, from that meeting, here.

The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for May 12, 2020 at 6:00 pm. Another recap of the meeting will be released after that meeting.

Braxton G. Becoats has announced he is exploring a candidacy for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education, District 3. For more information in regards to the exploratory committee, please reach out to Braxton G. Becoats at bbecoats@icloud.com.