CMS places Superintendent Crystal Hill on leave with pay. Read the full statement
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education announced Wednesday evening that it has placed Superintendent Crystal Hill on temporary paid leave pending an investigation into “matters involving administrative and operational oversight.”
The announcement followed a day of intense speculation about Hill’s future with the district, fueled by her absence from recent graduations and a district leadership conference. The board said Deputy Superintendent Dr. Melissa Balknight will assume additional responsibilities while the investigation is underway but declined to provide further details, citing it as an active personnel matter.
Read the board’s full statement below.
Board’s statement on Hill
“The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education announced today that it has placed Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill on temporary leave with pay, pending an investigation into matters involving administrative and operational oversight. The Board has asked Deputy Superintendent Dr. Melissa Balknight to take on additional responsibilities to ensure the district has steady leadership during this period. The Board’s responsibility is to ensure appropriate oversight and accountability across the district while supporting the continued operation of our schools. Because this is an active personnel matter, the Board is limited in what it can discuss publicly at this time. The district will not provide additional comment regarding the investigation at this time.”
Hill responds to board decision
In her own statement released Wednesday, Hill pointed to what she described as significant accomplishments during her three-and-a-half years leading CMS and said she was “saddened” by the board’s actions. She said she would fully cooperate with the investigation.
Read the complete statement below.
Hill’s statement
“For the past three and a half years, I have dedicated my full attention, time, and effort to serving the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education and the students, staff, and community it represents. It has been one of the greatest honors of my career to serve as Superintendent, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Board, our educators, staff, students, families, and community members in this important work.
During this time, we’ve experienced the following:
Historic academic gains (featured in two national studies)
Improved teacher working conditions (as evidenced by the North Carolina Teacher Working Conditions Survey)
Increased compensation for every employee category for the first time in 18 years
Passed a $2.5B bond
Achieved 4 fully-funded budgets from the Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners (which has not been achieved in recent history)
Throughout my 28-year career, I have led with integrity, transparency, and accountability while serving in multiple roles across several districts throughout our great state.
While I am saddened by the Board of Education’s recent actions and the circumstances surrounding them, I remain committed to our community, our district, and our mission. I will cooperate fully with any review and trust that the process will be conducted objectively and thoroughly.”
