CMS board members questioned contract for consultant now making $500k
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is paying a consultant $500,000 per year to coach school leaders, but some board members have raised questions about the arrangement’s effectiveness and at least one asked about existing family ties to CMS.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools entered into a $325,000 consulting contract in October, and the board voted to increase it by $175,000 in March. The firm, SYDKIMYL Educational Consulting, is owned by Kimberly McGregor, who is also the primary consultant on the CMS contract.
SYDKIMYL provides coaching for principals at 10 CMS middle schools as well as three assistant superintendents. It also is contracted to evaluate and improve student placement and support development of a revised summer learning program.
“One senior consultant works directly on school campuses. Coaching sessions for Assistant Superintendents and middle school principals take place on-site in schools,” CMS staff wrote to board members in a question and answer document prior to the contract amendment vote. “Based on feedback from schools, principals requested additional coaching support.”
CMS executive staff pointed to improvements in middle schoolers’ scores between beginning-of-year and middle-of-year assessments as evidence of the program’s effectiveness.
The CMS Board of Education voted 5-3 on March 25 to increase the contract by $175,000 in order to allow McGregor to work in schools five days a week, rather than three. However, some board members disagreed with the decision, arguing the district could instead spend the money on hiring more counselors and social workers.
Questions about effectiveness
Board Member Melissa Easley, who voted against the measure, said during the March meeting that she hadn’t seen sufficient evidence the coaching had a significant impact on student outcomes.
At the March 25 meeting, Easley said the sum of money is large enough that it could be “used in ways that will provide more tangible and immediate benefits to our students.” She suggested using the money for hiring more school counselors, social workers and psychologists.
The total amended contract comes out to $500,000 from Oct. 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. Currently, CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill is the district’s highest-paid employee, making $300,000.
CMS Board Chair Stephanie Sneed, who voted in support of the amendment, said she trusted the superintendent to determine what resources were needed to support students.
“It’s our responsibility to listen to what staff needs,” she said. “They are better suited to make the determinations about what is needed to achieve our goals.”
Other board members asked questions about the link between the consulting services and student outcomes and what would be included in the expansion of the contract. In addition to Easley, board members Summer Nunn and Lisa Cline also did not vote in support of the contract amendment. Cline and Nunn did not speak to their votes at the March 25 meeting, but Cline previously submitted questions to district leadership about to what extent the program had proven to impact student outcomes.
A CMS spokesperson told The Charlotte Observer the district “evaluated various support options and delivery methods” and ultimately chose the firm because it allows for regular professional development within the context of a principal’s own school. The district did not expand on what other support options or vendors were considered during the process but stated CMS has worked with SYDKIMYL since 2019.
Questions about ties to the district
Easley also asked the district about McGregor’s ties to CMS prior to the contract amendment vote. McGregor’s husband, Raki, has served as the chief executive in residence for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools as part of the Charlotte Executive Leadership Council since 2022.
“I see that this seems to be very connected to Raki,” Easley asked in a question submitted to the district prior to the March 25 meeting. “Was the relationship disclosed, and how is Raki involved?”
The district says SYDKIMYL is solely owned by Kimberly McGregor, who has been a CMS vendor since 2019. She’s also a former Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools employee. Raki McGregor “does not have the authority to authorize any financial transactions,” CMS said in response to Easley’s question in a document shared with the whole board.
Raki McGregor has a $130,000 consulting contract with CMS as part of his role with the executive leadership council. The current contract’s term began in September and concludes in June.
Hugh Hattabaugh, former interim superintendent, tapped Raki McGregor to serve on his cabinet, and he continues to serve on the CMS superintendent’s cabinet today.
Kimberly McGregor insists her work in the district is independent from her husband’s and referred The Observer to public records and CMS for any further questions.
“The work that I’m doing with CMS doesn’t have anything to do with my husband,” she said.
A CMS spokesperson said the district determined there was no conflict of interest after consulting its Office of General Counsel and Office of Compliance.
This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
