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With the election of five new members Tuesday, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board gets a fresh chance to put aside partisan and ideological bickering and help unite this community behind our public schools. That opportunity comes at a critical time.
The CMS board is grappling with school assignment, building and academic issues that continue to be daunting and divisive in this community. The juvenile and sometimes taunting behavior of a few members plus the board's lack of consistency on setting and applying policies have frustrated the public and fostered distrust. The new nine-member board must be willing to work hard, and as a unit, to tackle these issues effectively.
The district representatives elected Tuesday have promised to do that. Now, the public must hold them accountable to ensure they do.
We will especially be looking for that cooperation from District 1's Rhonda Lennon. She follows the eight-year stint of Larry Gauvreau who showed little inclination to work with fellow board members and often disparaged them. We're glad Gauvreau didn't run again. Lennon's record of working across ideological lines indicates she's a better choice for the district and this community.
In District 2, former math teacher Richard McElrath wound up unopposed after Kimberly Mitchell-Walker dropped out. His background and understanding of education issues should be an asset.
In District 3, Nicole Hudson was our choice in this nine-person race. We thought her background in organizational management and building relationships was a plus. But voters chose long-time activist and educator Joyce Waddell. We urge her to be a bridge-builder too.
In District 5, we'll miss school board chair Molly Griffin, who didn't run for reelection. She's been a consensus builder and a too often rare voice of reason. But Eric Davis is a great replacement. He is a creative thinker who does his homework and focuses on solving problems collaboratively.
In District 6, Tim Morgan rounds out the new crew. His collegial attitude, work on CMS building issues and experience in real estate will be valuable as the board tackles the prickly matter of crowded and inadequate schools.
Board members must not waste time before unifying behind common principles and goals. This community needs their leadership now - more than ever.
