CMS interim superintendent Hugh Hattabaugh to step down before contract ends
Hugh Hattabaugh will step down from his position as interim superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools at the end of the year, six months before his contract ends.
Hattabaugh cited his ailing father in Indiana and other family obligations in Florida to explain why he will leave sooner than planned. He made the announcement at Wednesday’s school board meeting.
Hattabaugh was named the school district’s interim leader in April following the firing of Earnest Winston. The board unanimously voted to hire the 71-year-old as the interim superintendent that same day.
Board members signed him to a $265,000 contract that runs through June 30. His last day is now scheduled to be Dec. 31, three sources with knowledge of his departure told The Charlotte Observer.
“It has been a privilege to come into Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and assist the board,” Hattabaugh said. “I have the greatest confidence in our principals, the learning community superintendents, the staff, the executive team that have been totally focused.”
He said during Wednesday’s meeting there would be no “golden parachute” — a term used to reference payouts for executives when they leave their jobs.
News of his departure comes one day after three CMS school board incumbents were defeated in the 2022 midterm elections — Rhonda Cheek, Carol Sawyer and Sean Strain. Hattabaugh said he has spoken with some newly elected board members and intends to talk with all of them before leaving.
Hattabaugh’s prior experience
Hattabaugh previously served as interim superintendent in 2011, following Peter Gorman and preceding Heath Morrison.
Hattabaugh began his CMS career in July 2007 as area superintendent of the North Learning Community before serving as chief operating officer from 2008 to 2011. Most recently he served as the chief academic officer of Lake County, Fla., schools before retiring in 2013.
When he was named interim superintendent in April CMS board chair Elyse Dashew said he was “the right person to lead CMS at this time” while the board searched nationally for a new superintendent.
“He brings extensive experience in leadership and education and firsthand knowledge of CMS to this position,” Dashew said.
What’s next
Hattabaugh said the board has not made any decisions on what’s next or who will be the next interim superintendent. Hattabaugh said he and his wife of 51 years will head back to Florida.
“We are grateful to you,” Dashew told him Wednesday.
This story was originally published November 9, 2022 at 6:30 PM.
