Eight students are vying for a CMS board seat. See what they have to say about education.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education is one of two in the state that has a student advisor to provide a teen’s perspective on education policy and procedure.
We think that perspective is important each day, so we asked the eight finalists for the 2023 student advisor post to answer two questions:
▪ How would you describe the state CMS schools at this time?
▪ What would your goal be as the sole student advisor on the CMS board?
(All CMS high school students are eligible to vote for student advisor from Oct. 26 to Nov. 8. The student advisor is not a voting member of the Board of Education, but the winner will sit with board members at the dais for all public meetings during the 2023 school year.)
Kendall Cherry
Myers Park High School, junior. CMS student since sophomore year.
It is very true that CMS actively tries to make changes to the system for the benefit of the students, staff, parents, etc. However, it’s the type of change that is being made that is making it seem like CMS isn’t proactive. We need to be focusing on issues that are relevant and matter to the people involved with CMS, as opposed to the types of issues that CMS staff seems to be focusing on right now. My No. 1 priority would be to put the needs of the students above all else. Fixing the issues that are most important to them is what would best help them be able to learn in a positive environment. They are the heart of CMS, and at the end of the day, they should be the main focus of every single CMS employee. CMS has real potential to be incredible, and as the student advisor, I would help us get there.
Annie Eilers
Providence High School, junior. CMS student since kindergarten.
It would be near impossible to speak to the state of CMS schools as a whole at this time, as there are such intense inequities across the district. This in turn means every school is in a different state, however there are improvements to be made across the board. Given the largely inequitable state of CMS schools at this moment, the top priority of the Board of Education should be to hone in on what problems are where. This means prioritizing safety, mental health, or college and career improvements on a smaller level rather than our large, diverse district as a whole.
As the sole student advisor to the Board of Education, my goal would be to finally talk about uncomfortable issues. As a non-voting member, it is far too easy to not prioritize what the student advisor is saying. However as student advisor I can promise to talk about Title IX, school safety, bullying and inequality in a way in which my fellow board members have to listen, and have to prioritize solving uncomfortable issues.
Carlos Gonzalez
Cato Middle College High School, junior. CMS student since kindergarten.
I would describe the state of CMS at this time as inefficient. In the past few years, CMS has seen quite a few problems come and go. However, the same few problems always seem to reappear. For as long as I can remember, CMS has been quick to identify the problems, but ineffectual when it comes to solving them.
My goal as the sole student advisor on the CMS Board would be to advocate for available opportunities — primarily targeting low-income and first generation students. Despite CMS offering so many programs and opportunities, a great majority of us students don’t actually find out about them due to language barriers or a simple lack of exposure by CMS.
Additionally, I would push for a complete renewal of CMS’ Title IX curriculum. For as long as I can remember, students have been presented with the same set of outdated slides in an attempt to simply portray an action that had never been taken.
Lily Hoblet
Hopewell High School, junior. In CMS 10 years.
A strong public school system is imperative to any community. Unfortunately, CMS currently lacks key components, keeping it from being best-in-class. Students need a charismatic and committed superintendent, willing to carry momentum. Without a dedicated leader, students will suffer. CMS schools are hemorrhaging strong students and families to charter and private schools, believing they will find better opportunities elsewhere. I am one of a handful from my fifth grade class still in CMS and know that to retain families CMS needs to become competitive. Across our district, there are numerous under-resourced students, specifically ELL (English language learners), still dealing with pandemic-induced learning disruption. Some don’t have teachers with the right qualifications.
While I’m under no illusion that I alone can solve these problems, my desire as CMS student representative is to be an assertive and informed student voice. I want to be a part of the board’s discussions when finding a superintendent and ensure whoever is hired will listen to learners’ voices and needs. Students are the heart of CMS — above political agendas. The board needs to understand the impact of its policies, and I would make sure the student perspective is known. Students can be change-makers in their schools when supported and heard.
Conall Millward
Independence High School, junior. CMS student since kindergarten.
CMS schools are struggling to properly educate their students right now. Between a rampant attendance issue, unmotivated students, dead-weight policy, and a host of misunderstandings between all parties involved in education, — i.e. parents, students, teachers, administrators — the system is struggling to engage students. These issues are not easily resolved of course, but if those in charge of CMS can come up with creative, adaptive solutions, we can start to reduce the weight of these issues.
As the sole student advisor, my goal would be to ensure with certainty that the students’ voices are heard and considered by the CMS Board of Education. Students are the ones required by law to attend school, so it is only reasonable that they should dictate some of the details of their environment. I hope to tackle issues such as dress code, school lunch, attendance and school safety overall, and I believe that, between myself and the leaders of CMS, we would be able to come up with equitable solutions that will benefit and satisfy most, if not, all students.
Laksha Ramkumar
Butler High School, junior. CMS student since third grade.
I believe that at this time, CMS schools are in a state of confusion and distress. It’s at a point where some people would consider it dysfunctional. Not only has this emotional state been stagnant within students and staff members for the last several years, but the quality of education and overall academic performance is simultaneously declining. A major contributor to the state we’re in is a lack of communication between the people of CMS and the Board of Education.
My primary goal as the student advisor would be to voice the student body’s concerns and feedback to the fullest extent, as well as reducing the distrust and uncertainty between the students of CMS and the Board. CMS needs an efficient messenger between the students and the Board so I plan on going to schools across CMS and talking to the students/interacting with the student body to fully understand what the areas of improvement are needed within CMS schools. Through going to a wide array of schools from different areas of Charlotte with varying income levels, I also want to advocate for student educational equity to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity at a successful education and beyond.
Samantha Shell
Harper Middle College High School, junior. CMS student since kindergarten
I would describe the current state of CMS schools as rather unstable. With multiple superintendents in recent years, the implementation of new policies, and multitudes of teachers exiting teaching, CMS has undergone a great deal of change. Due to this, the school board, CMS employees, teachers, students and community members have been forced to readjust to new conditions, often at the expense of other issues of great importance. This has led to a culture of questioning and instability.
As the student advisor on the CMS Board, I aim to be the voice of students. As a student advisor I am the mere intermediary between the student body and the school board. I am to present my observations and the complaints, opinions and concerns of students from across the district — not my opinions or that of those from my area alone. My goal as a student advisor would be to push for students to be at the forefront of all decisions made by the school board. Such as a more personable curriculum, in which students and teachers are able to adjust lesson plans and activities to better suit their learning style, promoting student engagement and bettering learning outcomes.
Malachi Thompson
West Charlotte High School, junior. CMS student since kindergarten
I would describe CMS currently as evolving. We are not there yet, and it’s going to take time and the right leadership, but in due time with my leadership as student advisor with the students vote, we can get it done!
My main goal if I am elected as student advisor to the CMS Board of Education is to ensure students voices are heard, respected and supported. To ensure the parents/guardians and staff are informed about everything involving the changes in our district. Let’s build greater.