Charlotte Observer endorsements: Our choices for CMS school board at-large seats

Families in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County are getting what many clearly wanted — a new Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education. Only one of six district school board representatives emerged from last year’s election — with two choosing not to run at all — and only one of three incumbents is on the ballot in the school board’s at-large slate in 2024.

That’s not a bad thing. Previous iterations of the board suffered from chronic missteps and a public-facing posture that was often aloof and sometimes bordered on arrogant. Now, an almost entirely new board has the opportunity to rebuild trust with the public and reset a district that faces continued student performance challenges and a state legislature that’s intent on weakening public education.

Fourteen candidates have raised their hand for three at-large spots. They include new faces, former educators and education activists. Three of the candidates — Annette Albright, Claire Covington and Michael Johnson, Jr — are running as a “CMS Unity” slate that some Democrats have claimed is a camouflaged team of Republicans. The evidence backing that accusation is thin — the Unity candidates employ a campaign treasurer also used by Republicans. Voters can vote for any or all of the Unity slate, but they should judge the candidates on their positions and experience, not speculative accusations.

The field’s lone incumbent, Lenora Shipp, has been on the board since 2019. She is a capable board member with an extensive education background, and she could provide valuable institutional knowledge about the district and work on a Student Outcomes Focused Government structure. Shipp, however, also represents an error-plagued past that voters might want to put behind them.

Three of the remaining candidates stand out: Shamaiye Haynes, Monty Witherspoon and Liz Monterrey.

Haynes brings a deep history and broad knowledge of issues facing struggling school communities. A former West Charlotte Parent Teacher vice president, she’s served on the Project LIFT parent advisory board and CMS Title 1 advisory board. She currently serves on the CMS Bond Oversight Committee, work that would benefit the board if voters pass a $2.5 billion bond referendum on the ballot. Her experience would be an asset to a largely new board.

Witherspoon, who has twice run for school board, is pastor of Steele Creek AME Zion Church, where his congregation has supported education by forming partnerships with two schools. That experience helps provide him a more intimate grasp of the challenges facing much of CMS, and his work in community outreach could be valuable in repairing relationships with the public and public officials.

Monterrey does not bring an education background to the race, but CMS has a history of smart and successful school board members who began as interested parents. Monterrey has the tools for such success. She shows a sharp understanding of the district and has a business background and understanding of technologies that could benefit students. Importantly, as a Latina parent and daughter of immigrants, she would add to the board an important voice that represents the perspective of a about a third of CMS students and families.

Monterrey, Witherspoon and Haynes also are supporters of the $2.5 billion bond referendum, and each understands the urgent need for CMS to restore relationships with the communities it serves. We recommend Monterrey, Witherspoon and Haynes as the next board’s at-large representatives.

This story was originally published October 24, 2023 at 7:34 AM.