CMS Outlines Priorities at the State Level

Teacher compensation, calendar flexibility and health screenings are among the top state legislative priorities for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in the coming year, according to Charlitta Hatch, CMS board member for the northern district.

Hatch outlined the district’s goals during a recent presentation before the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce.

Among the top priorities is calendar flexibility. Current state law requires traditional public schools to start no earlier than late August, a restriction tied to the tourism industry. CMS wants to move the start of school up a week and end a week earlier in June.

District leaders argue the current schedule forces students to return from winter break and immediately take exams, disrupting learning. It also impacts the ability of seniors to graduate early and apply for colleges.

“This isn’t about extending the school year,” Hatch said. “It’s about shifting it in a way that better supports students.”

Teacher pay and retention remain a broader concern tied to state policy. North Carolina ranks among the lowest nationally in teacher compensation, and local officials say county-level supplements cannot fully close the gap.

“We can’t supplement our way out of base pay,” Hatch said, urging community members to support state-level increases.

The school board is also advocating for changes to student health policies, including returning to an “opt-out” model for hearing and vision screenings. Currently, parents must opt in, which district leaders say may leave some students without critical early interventions.

“We don’t want students falling behind because of something as simple as not catching a vision issue early,” she said.

While the presentation also touched on district initiatives, including construction projects, academic goals and workforce development programs, Hatch repeatedly returned to the role of state government in shaping what local districts can accomplish.

Without legislative changes, she said, progress will remain limited.

“If we want to move from good to great,” she said, “we need the flexibility to make decisions locally.”

Also on the agenda

CMS receives the majority of its funding from the state, and another key issue is how education funding is dictated by leaders in Raleigh. State law mandates in which areas state funds must be spent and doesn’t account for the individual needs of districts.

For example, if CMS wanted to hire more certified teachers, it can’t reallocate funds earmarked for teacher assistants, even though that need may already be filled.

Hatch said that creates inefficiencies and prevents schools from addressing specific needs.

“We can’t move funding where it’s most needed,” she said. “Different districts have different challenges, but we’re all operating under the same rigid system.”

Another goal is to increase the percentage of students who are enrolled in secondary education, enlisted in the military, or employed upon graduation – a campaign dubbed What’s Your E by CMS.

In terms of employment, CMS is actively focused on promoting the importance and attractiveness of joining the skilled labor workforce.

“CMS has done an excellent job over the past few years recognizing that all pathways after high school are valuable for our students,” said Hatch. “Trade careers are not a backup plan. They are a powerful and viable pathway and at CMS we are treating them that way.”

Advocating change

Asked specifically what changes she would make if given carte blanche, Hatch said she would let teacher needs and feedback have a more direct impact on day-to-day decisions related to CMS.

Hatch also encouraged attendees — including business leaders — to advocate for these priorities with state lawmakers, emphasizing the connection between public education and economic growth.

Pat Jackson, a board member with the chamber, noted the importance of a strong public education system when corporations are evaluating potential relocations of their headquarters.

“Everybody wins when we have strong schools,” Hatch said.

Teacher of the year

Angie Phillips from Hough High School was selected as the CMS 2026 Teacher of the Year by the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce.

Phillips was presented the award during an annual luncheon celebrating educators in the region.

She has spent nearly 30 years in education, most recently working on the AVID school program that helps students learn how to study better, stay organized, and build the skills they need to go to college.