Why Summer Nunn won’t run for reelection to Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board member Summer Nunn says she’s not running for reelection in November to avoid putting her “career, family or reputation at risk because of politics.”
Nunn, who represents parts of south Charlotte and southern Mecklenburg County, announced her decision in a post on Facebook last week. She’s the second current board member who’s said she will not seek reelection. Thelma Byers-Bailey, long-time board member from District 2, previously announced she will not run again.
“As a full-time marketing executive—and more importantly, as a mom to two kids in CMS, one in middle school and one in elementary—I had to ask myself: Can I give another four years to this role at the level our students and staff truly deserve from a school board member?,” Nunn said in the post. “The honest answer is: no, not right now.”
In 2022, Nunn won her first term by campaigning on a platform of filling teacher vacancies, supporting educators and bringing a data-focused business savvy to the CMS board. She currently chairs the board’s Intergovernmental Relationships Committee and has pushed for educator pay raises from the state legislature.
In her announcement, Nunn cited several board accomplishments during her tenure, including passing a $2.5 billion bond to improve facilities, crafting a new five-year strategic plan and opening two new schools in District 6.
Nunn also noted that the board hired a new superintendent, but Nunn was one of three board members to vote against confirming CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill as the permanent superintendent in May 2023. Hill had served as interim superintendent since January of that year.
“Though I won’t be returning to the board, I’m not going anywhere and will continue to be a strong board member until my term ends this fall,” Nunn said.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools problems
She called communication by the board and the district “one of (CMS’) biggest challenges” and “an area of real opportunity.”
In February, Hill apologized after the district waited several days to notify parents at five schools of a man’s alleged shooting threats. In May, the district waited three weeks to notify parents at Ardrey Kell High School that the school’s principal was away after being suspended with pay May 2.
Three of the schools that received the alleged gun threats are in Nunn’s district, including Ardrey Kell.
“It takes more effort than it should to stay informed, aligned, and truly effective in this work,” Nunn said.
CMS District 6
Anna London, president and CEO of Charlotte Works, has filed to run for the District 6 seat. Charlotte Works is Mecklenburg County’s workforce development board. London’s campaign website highlights her focus on building a “bridge” between students and opportunities after graduation. London is, so far, the only candidate who’s filed for District 6.
“I believe in making sure that our students are prepared for life after graduation, not just for graduation,” she said. “I know firsthand the importance of providing exposure and opportunities to students so they can create whatever it is that their pathway is for life after graduation.”
London would be brand new to working in public education. When The Charlotte Observer asked what she sees as the biggest challenges facing CMS right now, she said, “I’m not sure about that.”
Nunn said “dysfunction remains” within local education politics.
“A candidate from my own party filed to run before I had the chance to share my decision—which speaks to a broader issue: coordination and intentionality in how we identify and support the right people for these important roles,” Nunn wrote in her Facebook post.
She and London are both registered Democrats, though CMS school board races are nonpartisan.
Nunn has not yet offered an endorsement in the race.
This story was originally published July 17, 2025 at 3:19 PM.
