Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

Hundreds of teachers called out of work to hold protests across North Carolina today in support of better teacher pay and the lack of a state budget, which has stymied potential raises for state employees like educators.

Teachers at dozens of schools across the state could walk out in protest of low teacher pay on Wednesday. It’s the second time in recent months that a statewide effort like this has been planned.

To kick off 2026, here’s a look at some of the local education stories I’m thinking about.

Hundreds of students walked out of class at several Charlotte-area high schools Tuesday as Border Patrol agents continued a citywide immigration crackdown. The walkouts come as absences have spiked at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, with immigrant families keeping kids home.

A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer has been placed on administrative leave following an altercation with a student during a large fight at West Charlotte High School Friday afternoon, CMPD said.

Students at Hidden Valley Elementary School celebrated Halloween with members of the community, who spent the day going classroom-to-classroom, reading books for the school’s inaugural Fall Read-A-Thon.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education officially passed a new policy governing how staff and students should use artificial intelligence.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education’s last meeting before the start of the traditional school year was marked by concern about immigration enforcement at schools.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools says Randolph Middle School Principal Jennifer Schroeder submitted her resignation on Tuesday July 1, effective immediately. Schroeder had been suspended with pay since May 20.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools plans to implement artificial intelligence in its learning next year. The school district said they want to support the appropriate use of AI with students to match the changes in the workforce.