[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6280094,"mediaKeyId","2617342-6781012e8c7364ad501a924d96db30ce","parentId",2617342,"title","CMS budget team proposes teacher-supplement increases, classified pay study and a pilot math bonus amid federal funding uncertainty","audioSeconds",4025,"startMs",5347000,"endMs",9372000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2617342-6781012e8c7364ad501a924d96db30ce&start=5347&end=9372","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2617342-6781012e8c7364ad501a924d96db30ce/thumbnail_5347000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6280094/North-Carolina/CMS-budget-team-proposes-teacher-supplement-increases-classified-pay-study-and-a-pilot-math-bonus-amid-federal-funding-uncertainty","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280094-9581ba1747d3e4d01e72ae2c228fbb33/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138332&Signature=UcP0tk57xBOzUhrBNcWsyvt~w2bjwdCvOQtvplL~73RjiMgdr97RbW4TfpqL9-6nPUQAyrNBbMRNv4MQDophcmNyv3I0zcB~~SICpdhoGVMOC0nk6SdjNuUyMYzdc7cTNyWiqzQy6DetHRUgParM5mCnXHgXfAKemIVj4HnrnCp0q5tpEYRmmVBztaHp6ptIpLHDQDN5K3as-yGVgzR-HClCSv~NTFQXeME92O2XXgXHOstPG7Ti38KGj~6jJAHO52G~AoUSYz6~9qZYsJMyIbmV5bhrp2xzX-kUDcioZo66LXtUa0JgEcJKuHac-z~69eyojQGkWOR~UN1bIVNePA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools ","date","2025-03-11T00:00:00Z","article","Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools presented a multi-part budget update on March 25 that combined a five-year forecast, an explanation of federal funding risks and a set of compensation proposals intended to shore up teacher and staff recruitment and retention.

Chief Financial Officer Kelly Klutz and Superintendent Dr. Earnest Hill told the board that the district is operating in a constrained fiscal environment. Key risks cited included state revenue projections that are essentially flat for fiscal 2025–26, county revenue shortfalls, and uncertainty around federal grant renewals. Staff highlighted that roughly 75–77% of the operating budget is salary and benefits, and said the district will plan conservatively until state and county figures are final.

Federal funding risk: staff reported termination notices for several discretionary federal grants and said those awards are under appeal. Staff provided a high-level inventory showing the dollar amounts, the number of positions funded by each grant and which positions are school-based. Chief Klutz said federal formula grants (Title I, Title II, Title III) represent a large portion of district services and that certain discretionary grants are higher risk; district staff said they are preparing prioritization committees to evaluate program continuity if carryover or federal funding is reduced.

Compensation proposals: the district proposed several compensation adjustments in its recommended budget framework:
- Certified teacher supplement: a recommended across-the-board 4% supplement increase plus an additional 1% for teachers with 15+ years of service to address flat state steps after year 15. Staff said the goal is to make CMS’s supplement the highest in the state. The presentation included comparisons of total teacher pay (state base salary plus local supplements) with other large North Carolina districts.
- Classified compensation study phase 2: after raising several low-wage groups to $20 per hour in an earlier step, CMS proposed a second phase to bring additional classifications closer to market. Staff said phase 2 will not bring all roles to market immediately but starts a multi-year approach.
- Math 1 Excellence bonus pilot: Doctor Christopher Daniels described a pilot that would place 960 students with 32 selected teachers in Title I high schools, funded with Title I district set-aside dollars, with a total investment of $728,000 over the year; maximum individual bonuses were described as about $15,000. Staff said the pilot targets 14 Title I high schools and will be evaluated for return on investment before any expansion.

Board members expressed concern about reliance on Title I funds for the pilot and about unintended consequences of incentive pay creating intra-school competition. Staff responded that the pilot is small relative to overall Title I allocations and that widespread expansion would require different funding sources.

Capital and one-time asks: CMS staff requested recurring county capital funds of approximately $22.9 million and said they expect to request an additional one-time $10 million for completion of a districtwide Facilities Condition Assessment (FCA) and to plan long-term capital needs based on the FCA findings.

Why it matters: the package ties proposed investments in teachers, school-based specialists and student supports to the district’s academic goals, but staff emphasized budget uncertainty and possible federal grant reductions. Several board members urged advocacy for greater state base pay and legislative changes to address regional cost differences.

Follow-up actions: staff said they will deliver a superintendent’s budget recommendation on March 25 (presentation completed), hold public engagement sessions in April and present a proposed budget for board consideration in April. Staff also said they will continue appeals on contested federal grants and develop prioritization committees if funding is reduced.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","CMS Board of Education Business Meeting - March 11-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools presented a multi-part budget update on March 25 that combined a five-year forecast, an explanation of federal funding risks and a set of compensation proposals intended to shore up teacher and staff recruitment and retention.","taxTitle","Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, School Districts, North Carolina","taxId",14085,"location","North Carolina","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6280099,"CMS reports modest gains in grades 3–5 reading; officials say 691 more students needed to meet annual target",279,2253000,2532000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2617342-6781012e8c7364ad501a924d96db30ce&start=2253&end=2532","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2617342-6781012e8c7364ad501a924d96db30ce/thumbnail_2253000.jpg","/articles/6280099/North-Carolina/CMS-reports-modest-gains-in-grades-35-reading-officials-say-691-more-students-needed-to-meet-annual-target","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280099-3ac31454149c8bbf0c30cc211f333461/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138332&Signature=nPi7mp2MW23tWPpQFP4FpWgs4F3irVgC0Ph5Y2koiv76np30XuVO1OrRW9Qv9CsWpc6dbDReei25e8y8aO81oIT0ni0BZGyVv2qJgOr7VcMfjHMJD7r3q7RmOeoerKj4rwYZGFsMklLrLMXdrMiWNVyjQp7Wytw3Kx9Kf42nq1YctHo9UQ5hFsLKuRkXQ-sOlhZE63QaNauITQV1DetNwVXG23bm9oeqAvTiara-LFMtuutzsIKUWsbqkplyrAQGrhUYm0Vk7qsr2vuhtN3EWj3vjglZwNelFUgNGMtm1VLk1Kdoqg1ra5k~VfPBv7mJNpcWD0OWdI0EcgSDK1npTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Dr. Earnest L. Hill presented an interim reading report on March 25 showing that 33% of third- through fifth-grade students are projected to score at the college-and-career-ready level on end-of-grade reading assessments, short of the 37% annual target for 2024–25.

The district uses MVPA benchmark assessments to project end-of-year performance. Dr. Hill told the board that the second benchmark projects 35% of students in grades 3–5 to reach levels 4 or 5; the district must accelerate growth to gain 2 percentage points by the April benchmark and the actual test in order to reach 37%.

Board members pressed staff on what would close the remaining gap. Dr. Hill and Chief Academic staff said the district has identified 11,000 students currently projected as college-and-career ready and needs an additional 691 to meet the target. Staff pointed to three primary levers: reduce chronic absenteeism, target instruction to students on the cusp of proficiency, and strengthen job-embedded professional development via school-based master teachers and district specialists.

“Knowing who those students are, being able when we do our core action walks to know who those students are, and taking a really close look at the work they’re doing” is central, Dr. Hill said, describing frequent classroom visits and use of benchmark rosters to pinpoint students who scored “level 3 plus” and who are closest to reaching level 4.

Board members and staff described Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) as the mechanism for assigning supplemental or intensive interventions. CMS staff said MTSS decisions are made using multiple data points (MVPA, i-Ready, attendance, disabilities, suspension history) rather than a single test, and that interventions follow a standard treatment protocol that prescribes intensity, duration and progress monitoring. Staff cited examples such as EL Education skills blocks and Orton-Gillingham for phonics, with specific session lengths and frequencies.

Staff reported movement out of Tier 3 to Tier 1 for roughly 698 students who showed growth after receiving intensive, targeted supports. Chief Hill described that movement as the product of diagnosis of need, application of the correct standard treatment protocol and progress monitoring that demonstrated students could work on grade-level material.

Attendance emerged as a recurring concern. Board members asked whether immigration-related fears were contributing to chronic absenteeism; staff said they saw a spike in January but that attendance had returned toward normal and that My Brother’s Keeper is the primary partner conducting home visits and targeted outreach for chronically absent students. Staff said they are not currently engaging new outside partners specifically for attendance, focusing instead on training school social workers and monitoring logs.

Board members also asked whether the district tracks which school-level intervention models (pull-out, push-in, grade-level targeting, master-teacher deployment) yield the best outcomes. Staff said the district has not systematically compared variations across schools because local contexts (school size, staffing, partnerships) vary widely, making a one-size measurement difficult; they said the district relies on performance-area assistant superintendents and core action walks to identify and replicate promising practices.

Board members requested more specificity about instructional gaps identified in core action walks. Staff said they frequently find insufficient rigor during differentiated core/all-block time in some classrooms — for example, intervention activities taking place where on-grade-level differentiated core should be occurring — and that they are working with schools to correct instructional alignment.

Several board members asked how the district will scale up evidence-based tutoring and family-facing resources. Dr. Hill said the strategic partnerships office is recruiting high-dosage tutoring providers and that family-facing resources (webinars, Family Academy, I-Ready parent tools) are catalogued and posted online to help families interpret assessment reports and support learning at home.

Why it matters: grades 3–5 reading growth is a near-term indicator for the district’s five-year goal to increase college-and-career-readiness. The district’s staff-centered strategy — school-based master teachers supported by district specialists, use of MTSS, targeted interventions and attention to attendance — aims to lift rates, but staff warned that sustained progress will require continued alignment of staffing, coaching and resources.

Looking ahead: staff said the district will use the April MVPA benchmark and the end-of-year assessments to measure whether additional acceleration strategies are effective and will report back to the board.","Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools presented an interim report showing grades 3–5 reading performance held at about 33% projected college-and-career-ready; staff said the district needs an additional 691 students to reach this year’s 37% target and identified attendance, targeted interventions and in-school coaching as priorities.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6280080,"Board approves consent agenda unanimously",32,1216000,1248000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2617342-6781012e8c7364ad501a924d96db30ce&start=1216&end=1248","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2617342-6781012e8c7364ad501a924d96db30ce/thumbnail_1216000.jpg","/articles/6280080/North-Carolina/Board-approves-consent-agenda-unanimously","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280080-ebc633eefc8d8e5c851404cf9ae6704b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138332&Signature=h8enJQuMb-fjvgQ2BcOU9Zb8NGCYNURwh6xX9IrBmBvs2bW4bBWC6g~Y1yu~bc0qfxziAMw3JqCJW5VKcnhwtqPAzKpRM~muFLtFoG0kW7k18yKepYGlrdXiEnPJTshlj6FUZjsGaVvymrkxNEdtDDgr2f6MJ37hYZjtwPXX-Sw04jJ31WUoi9eJC47HNuu-hU3wJcQkW7yqtwjRaq8Has8uZ3rlz0eQ-VgcvSuRSIlD~evRsEd2BJAGCgDM2X5Ekq2hqZdcWCK3KAad6EAk2S0iNXlhDQ0cJ08ZS1NRM8LoODuQdKH5D39-pKMpDIokGvlQGmxnjip0d0mXVcnnnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the March 25 meeting the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education approved the consent agenda as presented.

Board member Witherspoon moved to approve the consent agenda; Board member Klein seconded. The clerk recorded the vote as unanimous.

Why it matters: consent-agenda votes typically bundle routine items such as minutes, personnel listings and standard contracts; recording the outcome ensures transparency in board actions.","The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education approved the meeting consent agenda by unanimous voice/hand vote; motion moved by Witherspoon and seconded by Klein.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6280084,"CMS recognizes scholars, names new appointments; East Meck senior delivers speech on equity",1031,241000,1272000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2617342-6781012e8c7364ad501a924d96db30ce&start=241&end=1272","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2617342-6781012e8c7364ad501a924d96db30ce/thumbnail_241000.jpg","/articles/6280084/North-Carolina/CMS-recognizes-scholars-names-new-appointments-East-Meck-senior-delivers-speech-on-equity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280084-cbbcbce0b769810dea6eeddc4a6164ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138332&Signature=a2upQSFbl2Qv6MK-gTFOFxx-KV3EYOo1Qp7g5NjeL1NNPuML1vah~mVC512fpZvJ0n2nnKa-i~6gHVBUwITb0cWR2J5mqj0528Q3Zohs2SqudhVnMeIOko7-YGufmkaDB9VDbfnQ9Iy-Hri9rup9rx-dOD91Xwx~1Lv7NnXPKje2yWGugG9s9kXZFnSrWAoQJFRYlut57VIHvzQ~hEeXNnRFi17Ge8yRmFP4xkW-4oweBSDplhYkr3wf2ICf9vcDNK4a~mVxyaSHPtmIldX6cvVW3LJIfFrXg5XvZd2WZsHQAyAEphpIMmLSy8dqiBzr7ZPDUXpA1Sd0mmE2e3SE4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education opened part of its March 25 meeting by recognizing students projected to reach college-and-career-ready reading outcomes and announcing two administrative appointments.

Dr. Hill asked scholars to stand as she read names of students from multiple elementary and K–8 schools recognized as being on track for college-and-career readiness in grades 3–5. The board thanked families, principals and teachers for students’ efforts.

In personnel announcements, Dr. Hill said Christie Bostick will be appointed as assistant superintendent for high school performance A; Dr. Bostick currently serves as executive director of middle school performance area A and holds a doctorate from Gardner-Webb University. The board also announced Dr. Latoya Roberts as the new principal at River Oaks Academy; Dr. Roberts is currently an assistant principal and holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Gardner-Webb University.

Before recognitions, East Mecklenburg High School senior Vance Johnson led the pledge of allegiance and delivered a short speech on education equity. Johnson described attending Title I schools, contrasted resource disparities across schools, and said mentorship programs and community organizations helped him pursue engineering and design goals. He thanked organizations by name, including Carolina Youth Coalition, Communities In Schools, Upward Bound and others, and said he serves on the CMS equity committee as a student member.

Why it matters: public recognition highlights district students’ progress and gives the board an opportunity to announce leadership changes in schools and central offices. Student remarks underscored equity concerns discussed later in the meeting and in public comment.","Board recognized students on track for college-and-career-ready outcomes, announced two administrative appointments, and heard a student pledge and speech from East Mecklenburg senior Vance Johnson about education equity and aspiration.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6280089,"Superintendent recommends 2026–27 academic calendars after multi-language survey; board to hold public hearing in April",565,4653000,5218000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2617342-6781012e8c7364ad501a924d96db30ce&start=4653&end=5218","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2617342-6781012e8c7364ad501a924d96db30ce/thumbnail_4653000.jpg","/articles/6280089/North-Carolina/Superintendent-recommends-202627-academic-calendars-after-multi-language-survey-board-to-hold-public-hearing-in-April","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280089-03fa895ac33626cf34be9904c5ce577a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138332&Signature=glQzrBI2adcN4GpY4FOtco0y46IVOWPFIBd1af3WKeqkykEhp1v0Uopaxnk-TNnoK2q-5WBzg4GeFHtFblS6U4XwJ6WkbIepp5fi6DmHLSIZjSRSGX2StfiMb~A~aMeFAM4lOz8SNqln46tlovB94mBmPB94WpL3IXr2Z4QPqNVkYVYHkHSqtVDboBbqO3812EIkA4dD47OuhTonr58wLedRWl1u8toLEm5Rxj7ahOE47enNsUnMJqBpMO99UcNepdW5~Q3mHROOYJrJ34OK5SfnhUSKB9xSGdquTnTvBAbdosOvTqtTKOXizSayt53dRmS2ZMYwcdZvR6mHLtJzIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CMS Chief of Strategy and Innovation Beth Thompson presented the superintendent’s recommended academic calendars for 2026–27 on March 25, following a development process that included two draft calendars, a multilingual community survey and advisory council input.

Thompson said the calendar development process began in December 2024. The district received 9,585 survey responses in 10 languages between Jan. 28 and Feb. 13. Of the two traditional calendar options presented, 58% of respondents preferred option 2. Top stakeholder priorities cited in open responses included a full two-week winter break, timing of spring break (preferably the week after Easter), a Tuesday school start and teacher workdays before school starts to allow sustained professional development.

The superintendent’s recommendation included three calendars: a traditional calendar for elementary, middle and high schools with six teacher workdays before school starts, teacher workdays at quarter ends, and four early-release days for professional development; a CPCC-aligned early/middle college calendar; and a UNCC-aligned early/middle college calendar. Thompson noted draft teacher workday designations and early-release days would be published with the calendar materials pending the board’s April vote.

Board members asked about student access to the survey; Thompson said students were able to access the survey but staff did not have a student-response breakdown on hand and would provide that data later. Board members also discussed statutory constraints on the calendar: State law prevents starting earlier than the Monday closest to Aug. 26 and ending later than the Friday closest to June 11, and state/district requirements (Veterans Day holiday, required teacher workdays on election days) limit flexibility. Board members suggested future surveys include more open-ended options on calendar types (year-round models, extended day) and noted advocacy for state legislative changes to better align K–12 and higher education calendars.

Next steps: the board will hold a public hearing on the recommended calendars at the next Board of Education meeting in April and vote on April 8.","CMS presented the superintendent’s recommended 2026–27 calendars (traditional, CPCC early/middle college and UNCC-aligned early/middle college) shaped by a 9,585-response survey and advisory council feedback; the board will hold a public hearing in April and vote in April.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

CMS budget team proposes teacher-supplement increases, classified pay study and a pilot math bonus amid federal funding uncertainty

CMS reports modest gains in grades 3–5 reading; officials say 691 more students needed to meet annual target

Board approves consent agenda unanimously

CMS recognizes scholars, names new appointments; East Meck senior delivers speech on equity

Superintendent recommends 2026–27 academic calendars after multi-language survey; board to hold public hearing in April