CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill recaps the first week of the new school year.
Hill is speaking to reporters from one of CMS' new schools, Ballantyne Ridge High School. The new 299,349 square foot, 100-classroom high school was part of the 2017 bond referendum package to relieve Ardrey Kell, Myers Park, and South Mecklenburg High School.
During an interview with WCNC Charlotte ahead of the new school year, Hill said they were wrapping up projects from the 2017 bond.
“We're really excited that we're wrapping up our 2017 bond, actually, with the opening of two brand new schools: Knights View Elementary School and Ballantyne Ridge High School," Hill said at the time. "And then we also have the new Bruns Academy."
The new school year started with the renewal of old concerns. While the district is welcoming 600 new teachers this year, they started the school year with about 300 teacher vacancies.
"Our schools will leverage several different options. We have alternate staffing options, where for example, a master teacher might combine for a portion of the day two classrooms," Nancy Brightwell, CMS' Chief of Recruitment, Retention and Talent Development, told WCNC Charlotte earlier this month.
One reason for the vacancies is teacher pay. An issue not unique to CMS, but one Hill and the CMS school board will continue to fight for.