A ‘difficult’ decision: CMS school board member Rhonda Cheek won’t seek reelection
Through tears, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board member Rhonda Cheek announced Tuesday night she will not seek reelection to the board.
Cheek, a Republican who represents District 1, has served on the board for 13 years. She made the announcement during the board report section of the regular meeting and said December, when her term ends, will be the end of her public service.
“Thirteen years is a very long time to serve in public office,” she said, “and the last few years have been filled with chaos and stress, and they have taken a toll on my physical and mental health. The work itself has been time-consuming but dealing with the ever-increasing vitriol and lack of civil discourse has compounded that stress.”
Cheek, a graduate of South Mecklenburg High School, was elected to the school board in 2009.
“This decision was obviously difficult and emotional because I do care so much for children and about public education,” Cheek said, crying. “But over the past couple of weeks and months I’ve realized that I have lost my desire to continue serving in this capacity.”
Prior to her work on the board, Cheek started Families United for North Mecklenburg Education (FUME) in 2003. She’s served on several education-related committees and the board of Charlotte Advocates for Education.
“I’m so proud of the work I’ve done in this seat,” said Cheek, who is a registered nurse. “I can’t even condense the work of 13 years in my brief two minutes here. I can say that I’ve always tried to do my best. I’ve tried to stay true to who I am, and I’ve always tried to remain student focused.
“And while public service has been a great honor, it certainly does not rank near the top of what I consider the amazing accomplishments of this life I’ve had. Those are being a wife, a daughter, a sister, an aunt and most importantly a mom and and a gigi (grandmother).”
Six school board districts, including Cheek’s, will be up for election in November.
This story was originally published May 10, 2022 at 7:31 PM.
