Charlitta Hatch, CMS Board of Education District 1 candidate, answers our questions
To help inform voters in the Nov. 4, 2025, election, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The Charlotte Observer to help make this coverage possible.
Name: Charlitta Hatch
Age: 41
Campaign website or social media page: www.hatchforcms.com
Occupation: Chief Data and Analytics Officer/Deputy Director of Innovation and Technology at City of Charlotte
Education:
BS in Business Management - Hampton University M.Ed. in Urban Education - University of North Carolina at Charlotte PhD Candidate Curriculum & Instruction (Urban Education) - University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought or held): No
Please list your highlights of civic involvement:
Rho Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. EmpowHERment, Inc. and Books with Color (Founding Board Member) Junior League of Charlotte (Past President) Civil Service Board (appointed by City Council - past Chair) CMS Foundation Board (Development Chair) Children’s Theatre of Charlotte (Chair Elect) Queen City Chapter of Jack and Jill of America (Vice-President) Highland Creek Elementary School (VP of Advocacy) Good Friends Charlotte Women’s Executives
What are the most important issues in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools today, and how would you address them?
As a mom, technology executive, and candidate for CMS District 1, I’m focused on growth in District 1, school safety, teacher burnout, and preparing kids for an AI-driven future. Through my HATCH platform: Heart, Advocate, Trust, Community, Hope, I’ll prioritize smart rezoning, student and teacher wellness, teacher and staff support, and future-ready learning. I’m raising kids in this system and I’m a proven data-driven leader with heart.
How can the district improve student performance, close achievement gaps and get schools off the state’s low-performing list? (There were 56 CMS campuses on the low-performing list during the 2023-24 school year, and 32 during the 2024-25 school year):
CMS has made progress, but we must move beyond test scores to address the opportunity gaps that limit student success. As a board member, I’ll advocate for whole-child approaches, expand what’s working in school improvement, reduce barriers to gifted and support services, and equip educators with the tools to teach not just test. Every child deserves access, belonging, and opportunity to have a real chance to thrive.
How should the school system handle decisions by the federal government that you may disagree with or that negatively affect the district? And how should the district communicate with the public about the effects of those decisions?
The district must prioritize students’ well-being, even with federal policies we disagree with. I’ll advocate for clear, timely communication that informs families of impacts and outlines our response, even if it’s we need more time. Where possible, we’ll leverage local partnerships and policy flexibility to protect access, inclusion, and opportunity ensuring our values lead, not just mandates. Transparency builds trust, especially in challenging times.
Teacher shortages remain a challenge across North Carolina and the nation. What do you believe CMS needs to do in order to attract teachers and keep experienced ones in the classroom?
To attract and retain great teachers, CMS must streamline workloads, offer competitive pay, and foster a culture of support. As a board member, I’ll champion mentorship, protected planning time, and modern tools that let teachers focus on teaching. We must also elevate teacher voice in decision-making because when educators feel heard, valued, and equipped, they stay and thrive.
What separates you from your opponents and makes you the best choice on November’s ballot?
I’m not just FROM here. I’m FOR here. A proud CMS grad, I bring a heart for service, a mind for innovation, and a record of results. As a tech exec, board leader, and doctoral candidate, I focus on AI literacy, family engagement, and policy change. I’ll lead with transparency, use data to drive solutions, and elevate our families. Let’s Log In, Level Up, and Lead Forward together.
