Turmoil within Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools https://www.wfae.org/turmoil-within-charlotte-mecklenburg-schools The leadership crisis at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools stems from administrative reorganizations that weakened the school board's structure. Tensions escalated when former board Chair Stephanie Sneed allegedly secured an undisclosed $30,000-a-month consulting subcontract for a political ally without Superintendent Crystal Hill's knowledge. Following Hill's controversial 5–4 termination by the board on Sept. 22, 2026, the district faced widespread turmoil, including high-level staff resignations, threats against board leadership and an immediate search for new leadership. The fallout has sparked joint financial and oversight investigations by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney's Office. en-US Copyright Wed, 14 Oct 2026 19:05:27 GMT CMS working group to look at superintendent investigation recommendations https://www.wfae.org/education/2026-10-14/cms-working-group-to-look-at-superintendent-investigation-recommendations The Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board says it will create a working group charged with implementing recommendations that came out of its two-month investigation into former Superintendent Crystal HIll. Wed, 14 Oct 2026 19:05:27 GMT https://www.wfae.org/education/2026-10-14/cms-working-group-to-look-at-superintendent-investigation-recommendations James Farrell Speakers blast CMS board over firing of Superintendent Crystal Hill https://www.wfae.org/education/2026-10-14/speakers-blast-cms-board-over-firing-of-superintendent-crystal-hill Angry speakers told the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board Tuesday that they’re upset with the board’s surprise decision last month to fire Superintendent Crystal Hill, and some said the board members should have been the ones to go instead. Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:22 GMT https://www.wfae.org/education/2026-10-14/speakers-blast-cms-board-over-firing-of-superintendent-crystal-hill Ely Portillo Does this unpaid invoice reveal more financial issues at CMS? https://www.wfae.org/education/2026-10-13/does-this-unpaid-invoice-reveal-more-financial-issues-at-cms The invoice is for only $13,375, but it indicates yet another irregularity in a district grappling with questions over its finances. Tue, 13 Oct 2026 15:04:50 GMT https://www.wfae.org/education/2026-10-13/does-this-unpaid-invoice-reveal-more-financial-issues-at-cms James Farrell CMS Acting Superintendent Melissa Balknight to remain during search https://www.wfae.org/education/2026-10-08/cms-acting-superintendent-melissa-balknight-to-remain-during-search Melissa Balknight will remain acting superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools until a permanent replacement takes over, CMS announced Thursday. Thu, 08 Oct 2026 15:10:40 GMT https://www.wfae.org/education/2026-10-08/cms-acting-superintendent-melissa-balknight-to-remain-during-search James Farrell Inside the reorganization that may have led to CMS’ ‘weakened and collapsing board structure’ https://www.wfae.org/education/2026-10-07/inside-the-reorganization-that-may-have-led-to-cms-weakened-and-collapsing-board-structure A reorganization early this year raises new questions about what’s led to a leadership crisis at CMS and multiple investigations into alleged financial irregularities. Wed, 07 Oct 2026 13:01:56 GMT https://www.wfae.org/education/2026-10-07/inside-the-reorganization-that-may-have-led-to-cms-weakened-and-collapsing-board-structure James Farrell Mecklenburg County should wait for CMS law enforcement probes and audits to conclude before asking questions, manager says https://www.wfae.org/2026-10-06/mecklenburg-county-should-wait-for-cms-law-enforcement-probes-and-audits-to-conclude-before-asking-questions-manager-says Michael Bryant said the county should wait for law enforcement to finish their investigations before asking CMS questions. Wed, 07 Oct 2026 01:47:57 GMT https://www.wfae.org/2026-10-06/mecklenburg-county-should-wait-for-cms-law-enforcement-probes-and-audits-to-conclude-before-asking-questions-manager-says Steve Harrison Early this year, CMS’ school board shuffled its staff. Did the changes contribute to its current mess? https://www.wfae.org/education/2026-10-06/early-this-year-cms-school-board-shuffled-its-staff-did-the-changes-contribute-to-its-current-mess At the now-infamous Sept. 22 Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board meeting, as the board voted to fire Superintendent Crystal Hill, board member Cynthia Stone said she believed the board was “creating our own problems.” Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:16:48 GMT https://www.wfae.org/education/2026-10-06/early-this-year-cms-school-board-shuffled-its-staff-did-the-changes-contribute-to-its-current-mess James Farrell Federal authorities add to investigations of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools https://www.wfae.org/crime-justice/2026-10-05/federal-authorities-add-to-investigations-of-charlotte-mecklenburg-schools The FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed Monday that they’re investigating Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, joining state agencies probing the district’s finances. Mon, 05 Oct 2026 18:56:44 GMT https://www.wfae.org/crime-justice/2026-10-05/federal-authorities-add-to-investigations-of-charlotte-mecklenburg-schools James Farrell