Gunfire at West Charlotte High latest in escalating crisis for CMS
The shadow of guns on campus continues to grow over Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, especially after a week in which a gun was fired at West Charlotte High School.
The gunfire erupted Monday afternoon after a student fight over a book bag, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said. No one was injured, and a juvenile was arrested that evening.
It was the 23rd gun found on a CMS campus since the start of school in August, Superintendent Earnest Winston told reporters.
The school district has already surpassed its previous 10-year high — 22 in 2018-19 — for the number of guns found on its campuses.
Meanwhile, the Observer learned that CMS leaders were slow to spend $4.6 million specifically earmarked for security improvements over a nearly two-year period. CMS has since spent a majority of the money. However, the issue looms large as the district rushes to address the growing crisis of weapons and violence in schools.
The Observer asked CMS officials this week about the delay but got no response.
Jeff Jackson’s Senate stunner
Don’t be surprised to find state Sen. Jeff Jackson picking up chicken at Harris Teeter or at home having a quiet, regular dinner with his family. He has more time for that now.
Thursday morning, the Charlotte Democrat withdrew from North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race — making former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley the party’s likely nominee next November.
The 39-year-old Jackson told the Observer he’s excited about returning to a seemingly more normal life, one where he doesn’t have to say goodbye to his three children as often as he has over the past year. That doesn’t mean he won’t be busy. Jackson, armed with political power and connections, said he plans to help Beasley win.
Historic Charlotte returns
After three years of construction, Charlotte’s first public park for Black residents has reopened — with a range of new amenities and a nod to its history.
The city in 1943 bought the land for Pearl Street Park for the former Brooklyn community, Charlotte’s largest Black neighborhood at the time. Over time, urban renewal “demolished Brooklyn,” historian Tom Hanchett wrote in 2018, and fewer people used the park.
Now, large retail and housing developments, including the Metropolitan, surround the historic 11-acre park south of uptown. The rebuilt park now has multipurpose fields, sports courts, an open-air pavilion, a public art installation, an inclusive playground and walking paths. A stream running through the park also has been restored.
Big pledge for local billionaire
Ric Elias, the co-founder and CEO of internet marketing company Red Ventures, and wife Brenda became the first Charlotteans to sign The Giving Pledge, a commitment by the world’s wealthiest individuals and couples to give the majority of their wealth to philanthropic endeavors.
“We hope to be able in our lifetimes and beyond to have some impact on those who have been less fortunate than us ... Our goal is simple; lead with giving,” the Eliases wrote in their pledge letter.
More than 230 people from 28 countries have signed up for The Giving Pledge, which was started 11 years ago by Bill and Melinda French Gates and Warren Buffett. The Eliases join other such high-profile names as Elon Musk, Michael Bloomberg, Ted Turner and Mark Zuckerberg.
Change brewing at SouthPark
As part of what SouthPark mall owner Simon called a “transformational” multimillion dollar project, Suffolk Punch Brewing will anchor an overhauled West Plaza that also will include greenspace and an inclusive children’s play area.
Suffolk Punch, which opened in 2017 in South End, will open another location with a beer garden and taproom near Dick’s Sporting Goods and The Container Store. The space also will include a nearly 400 seat full-service taphouse, restaurant and coffee bar, plus an all-season outdoor pavilion.
The new greenspace will offer family-friendly performances on stage throughout the year.
Construction is expected to finish by late summer.
A bit of everything else
▪ The City Council voted to move forward with creating a “municipal service district” in which South Park businesses pay a new tax to support economic development in that area. The council vote directs staff to prepare reports on district boundaries, tax rate and revenue, and plans for providing services.
▪ Atrium Health has a new name for the building that will host its future Charlotte medical school. The Howard R. Levine Foundation made a $25 million donation to name the academic building for the former CEO of Matthews-based Family Dollar. Atrium will break ground on the school next year.
▪ Charlotte-based manufacturer SPX Flow is being acquired by a private equity firm in a $3.8 billion deal. An affiliate of Lone Star Funds said it intends to take SPX Flow private. SPX Flow’s headquarters will remain in Charlotte, where it has over 130 employees.
▪ Charlotte FC, which debuts in Major League Soccer in 2022, netted three young, speedy players in the MLS expansion draft. The club made five selections, but traded two players for general allocation money to use in the future.