CMS superintendent wish list: What do Charlotte nonprofits want in next education leader?
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ next permanent superintendent should be visible, a strong communicator, listen and commit to stay, nonprofit leaders said during an engagement session last week.
CMS is seeking community input on a new superintendent, with a report being presented to board members at the meeting Dec. 13. CMS staff conducted an online survey that closed last month and held input sessions for members of the public. A virtual focus group of faith leaders is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday.
Nonprofit leaders from the YMCA to PFLAG Charlotte participated in an almost hour-long session last week.
“The new superintendent definitely needs to be visible because it’s a new era for CMS in every way,” said Astrid Chirinos, the community engagement executive director for the YMCA of Greater Charlotte. “Community expectations and the current reality demands for someone that understands and is courageous and can connect the dots between the system and the community.”
It’s a particularly critical time for CMS because of the pandemic’s effect on students and the frequent turnover in the school system’s top job — seven people since 2012.
Interim Superintendent Hugh Hattabaugh took over in April when the board fired Earnest Winston, who took the job in 2019. But Hattabaugh announced in November he would step down because of family obligations. His last day will be Dec. 31 — six months before his contract expires.
Charles Jeter, executive director of government affairs, policy and board services, said CMS has to name an interim by the time Hattabaugh leaves. Jeter said he expects a special meeting to name a superintendent between Dec. 14 and Dec. 31.
CMS superintendent should collaborate
Nonprofit leaders said the district needs a superintendent who will collaborate with the community and be transparent. That includes working well with state and local leaders.
“(The person) needs to be able to help people trust the system,” said Linda Traum, of League of Women Voters of Charlotte Mecklenburg. “They need to bring people together.”
The new superintendent also should get regular feedback from the community.
“I don’t feel like I could just call up the superintendent right now and say, ‘Hey, wouldn’t it be great if we could do this, create that,’” Traum said.
Karen Graci, executive director of PFLAG Charlotte, which seeks to elevate LGBTQ+ communities, says retaining the next superintendent is key.
The next superintendent needs to know there’s a strong support team of civic and business leaders who want to help, Graci said.
“We’re in this together”
CMS’ diverse student and teacher population stand as strengths the next permanent superintendent can tap into, nonprofit leaders said.
“The next superintendent will need to understand how incredibly diverse CMS is, and I’m talking race, I’m talking the languages spoken,” said Iqra Tabassum, of Our Turn Charlotte, a nonprofit for equity in education. “This is the core strength of CMS.”
Pearlie Cureton-Thomas works for Bright Stars, which offers after-school and summer programs. Cureton-Thomas said Charlotte must collectively commit to helping a superintendent narrow achievement gaps and improve test scores.
“As we move forward, if we could understand that we’re in this together,” she said. “It’s not just CMS’ problem. It’s our problem. And things aren’t going to change overnight. It’s our issue to solve together.”
Public listening session
In October, parents and community members said the new superintendent needs to address low test scores, achievement gaps, inequities across the district and retaining teachers, among other concerns.
One parent said the district needs a superintendent who is relatable and personable to all diverse students and to families, and “who is not afraid to walk into any environment and be adaptable and accessible.”
Participant Devonya Govan-Hunt added, “We need to have someone who is humble enough to say ‘I don’t know’ and (skilled) enough to seek the individuals that can actually help him or her achieve what’s trying to be accomplished. This person has to be a systems thinker. So, able to think past to think far to think deep to think wide and have the ability to develop and provide opportunities for the people around him or her.”
Charlotte voices are heard
Board members are working with Charlotte-based consulting firm Civility Localized to conduct community engagement.
Christine Edwards, a former CMS student and founder of Civility Localized, told the Observer the listening sessions were fairly well attended.
“(We had) about 52 participants total, but we got a lot more feedback on the online survey and in focus groups,” Edwards said.
